‘World-first’ amphibious flying motorcycle is here

Is that a flying pig? No, but it’s not too far off. It’s Rictor’s Skyrider X1, a hybrid moped-quadcopter (or flying motorcycle) that will, according to its creators, allow commuters to fly to avoid traffic as soon as next year.

To date, the company has one e-bike on the market, the Rictor K1. However, it claims to have “emerged as a formidable player with robust innovation capabilities and a visionary approach to comprehensive air, land, and sea mobility solutions.”

A concept version of the Rictor Skyrider X1 is on display at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025 in Las Vegas.

Rictor’s Skyrider X1

The Rictor Skyrider X1 will feature an eight-propeller system for stability and redundancy. According to a Rictor press statement, it will be able to fly at a maximum speed of 62 mph (100 km/h) and it will have a flight duration of up to 40 minutes. However, this depends on the configuration.

The X1 SL, with a 10.5kWh battery, will be able to fly for 25 minutes, while the X1 SX, with the larger 21kWh battery, will fly for the whole 40 minutes.

What’s more, Rictor says the X1 can perform automated take offs and landings, and it can automatically plan the optimal route, presumably based on location and battery time.

Moreover, it will also have real-time weather and environmental adaptability, automatically adjusting altitude, speed, and direction for efficient and safe travel.

Rictor also says “safety is paramount in the Skyrider X1’s design.” The flying motorcycle will feature an enclosed cabin as well as triple-redundant control systems.

Rictor adds that it will have manual control options for pilots who prefer hands-on operation, including joystick functionality. It will be able to land safely even if an engine fails, and will also include an emergency parachute for worst-case scenarios.

Flying motorcycles: A tall order

All of this feels quite fanciful. Even more so, given the fact that an Engadget report says the Rictor Skyrider X1 is set to launch next year.

As a point of reference, flying taxi firm Volocopter recently failed to earn certification to fly passengers during the 2024 Paris Olympics. Volocopter was aiming to fly piloted flying taxis on predetermined paths, and they weren’t able to gain certification – they have also now filed for insolvency.

Self-piloted, semi-autonomous private quadcopters are very unlikely to hit urban airspaces any time soon.

According to the company, at CES 2025 “the launch of the Skyrider X1 flying motorcycle attracted widespread attention from global audiences, becoming the star exhibit of the show.” Interesting that, seeing as the statement was released on the day the show started.

Rictor claims it will sell the Skyrider X1 for $60,000, and that commuters will be taking to the skies very soon.

The company “envisions a near future where personal flight is no longer an unreachable dream but an accessible reality.” They’ll just have to get past the regulators first.