Personal jetpacks? Boeing issues challenge to inventors
Oct 4, 2017, 9:51 AM | Updated: 2:51 pm
We’ve seen prizes awarded for designing spaceships. We’ve heard about Amazon wanting to unleash a drone air force. Now, Boeing is enlisting you to develop the future of personal flight.
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In a recently-released video, Boeing challenges aerospace inventors to create a personal flying device.
“Thanks to recent advances in materials, propulsion, and autonomy we believe the world is ready to make the next leap in flight innovation, and we challenge you to make that leap happen,” Boeing Chief Technology Officer Greg Hyslop said.
The “Go Fly” competition is simple. You must design and build a personal flying device that can take off and land. It must be safe, useful, and thrilling.
“With $2 million in prize money, the Go Fly prize challenges aerospace inventors to develop a safe, quiet, ultra-compact personal flying device designed for near-vertical take-off and landing,” Hyslop said in the video. “Will it be a jetpack, a personal drone, or even a motorcycle in the sky? It’s up to you to decide and bring it to life.”
Yes. Boeing is serious. The whole thing culminates with a fly-off. The best personal flying machine gets $1 million. Inventors need to register by April. It costs $250 to enter as an individual and $500 as a team.
There will be eliminations before the fly-off, which will take place in two years. The device will have to fly in circles and be judged on speed. There will be touch-and-go challenges as well.
“Are you up for the challenge,” Hyslop asked.
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