Las Cruces, New Mexico – Make your dreams come true, be free. That’s what the ArcaBoard promises. ARCA Space Corporation, a company that develops rocket systems and commercial drones, has released a true hoverboard that allows people to fly or float in the air. Consumers are now able to pre-order it for $19,900 and shipping is scheduled for April 2016.
“Ride across any terrain or water with the vehicle that was virtually impossible, until today. Do what you want, whenever you want, wherever you want. Each time you ride the ArcaBoard you will find yourself at the center of a new exhilarating experience,” states the firm’s website.
What’s great about this new hoverboard?
With 272 horsepower, the ArcaBoard will allow consumers to fly up to 30 cm (1ft) with speeds up to 20 km/h (12.5 mph). The vehicle is lifted by 36 high power Electric Ducted Fans (EDF) and includes a stabilization unit that can be controlled with a smartphone, but more intense riders can turn off the stabilization system and steer the ArcaBoard with their bodies. People weighing less than 80kg can ride for just six minutes before the batteries run out, and fun will only last for three minutes for riders weighing up to 110kg.
To ride again, consumers will have to wait 35 minutes while the hoverboard charges if they buy the ArcaDock accessory for $4,500, while the off box charger will bring the batteries to full capacity in six hours. There has been a lot of criticism around this product because nearly 20 grand might be too expensive for a vehicle that only runs for six minutes.
That means you can’t fly wherever you want as the company’s marketing strategy promises. How far can you go in six minutes at 20 km/h? If the company improves the ArcaBoard’s batteries, the product might be actually worthy in the future and could become a revolutionary vehicle to fly across long distances.
The risks, look out!
Risks should also be considered. Recent reports have made known that there have been at least 16 hoverboard-related fires in 12 states across the United States. Federal agencies are investigating the cases, as stated by Who TV.
Patty Davis, spokeswoman for the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, declared that it’s a priority investigation to find out why some hoverboards catch fire because they are popular holiday items that will probably be bought by many people these days. For instance, a hoverboard purchased at Crabtree Valley Mall caught fire while charging inside the home of the Cary family, as reported by WRAL.
The ARCA Space Corporation, established in 1999 as a non-governmental organization based in Romania, focused in aerospace technology development. It is not known if it has actually sold anything, but the marketing campaign for ArcaBoard sounds promising. Let’s see if people get excited about spending $19,900 to float in the air for three to six minutes.
Source: ARCA Space