A controversial, Star Wars-style flying speeder bike has gone on sale.
A viral video of the space-age Airbike vehicle zipping across the landscape divided opinions earlier this year, with many suggesting computer trickery had been used.
However, Polish company Volonaut now says it will go into production in limited numbers at the launch price of £649k ($880k).
They also revealed new flight footage with original audio they claim shows Airbike is real.
The video shows the small, one-person vehicle—said to be able to fly at 124mph—apparently flying over a test ground, thanks to a loud method of propulsion.
Polish inventor and Volonaut founder Tomasz Patan said: “This kind of extra footage was requested and highly anticipated.
“Although the original release went viral, it also managed to divide opinions and stir the internet. Many claimed this hoverbike is not real and that the footage has been produced with use of AI or CGI.
“It is not hard to imagine why—the futuristic vehicle seems to not obey the laws of physics with no visible means of generating lift or maintaining unprecedented stability with its rider on top of it.
“Volonaut is confirming the authenticity of all officially released video materials saying that a real, fully functional and flying prototype vehicle has been piloted by the inventor with zero use of special effects, AI or computer generated imagery.”
In May, Volonaut stated that the AirBike is powered by jet propulsion, with a proprietary stabilization system enhanced by a flight computer to provide automatic hover capability and ease of control for its rider.
Tomasz Patan adds: “”It was always my dream to create a personal flying machine so futuristic and iconic that it could be placed on a science fiction movie set.
“The challenge was to come up with real-world reliable core technology that can be shrunk down and wrapped with a functional and bold design.
“The result is a first of its kind vehicle with incredible performance, stunning looks that actually resembles a sports motorbike, and it is flying.”
Volonaut says they will manufacture a commercial hoverbike version with a top speed of 63mph, to meet the ‘ultralight’ classification requirements. This would allow people to ride it in the air outside densely populated areas without needing a pilot’s license.
The company adds: “Specially developed training led by professionals will ensure that owners learn to safely and responsibly operate their speeders.”
Volonaut says it has begun work on a pre-production version and aims to share first flight footage in 2026.
Pre-order reservations will open on 1 August.
