When will Parisians and tourists be able to board the SeaBubbles? Remember, we already spoke about them back in 2016. This uncommon concept of “flying taxi” is said to be launched very soon in several big cities. The founder of the French startup, Alain Thébault, told Capital that SeaBubbles will start being manufactured from January 2021. The CEO then hopes to deliver them “six months later”.
"On finalise la version définitive du SeaBubble jusqu’en décembre, puis elle rentre en production début 2021 pour des livraisons six mois plus tard" précise @Alain_Thebault - @SeaBubbles espère lancer en 2021 la production de ses taxis volants sur l’eau. https://t.co/zxVoXPLi1f pic.twitter.com/tDG6cPlUNv
— Maddyness (@bymaddyness) August 5, 2020
Tweet reads: “We’re finalizing the definitive version of the SeaBubble until December, and start manufacturing from early 2021 for a delivery six months later, Alain Thebault says – SeaBubles hopes to launch the production of its water flying taxi from 2021.”
So far, the designer is adding the final touch to the definitive version of this incredible machine that – according to Alain Thébault – is characterized by a “lack of noise, wave, pollution”.
For the most curious, already impatient to get on board, SeaBubbles can fly 50cm above water using a hydraulic propulsion system. Inside? Seven seats including one for the pilot.
And how does it work? Under each engine, wings propelled by two electric motors. When they start, they fly off and go up while touching the water. Yet, friction is reduced by 40% in comparison with a boat shell.
Still according to Capital, fifty flying taxis are said to be manufactured for 250,000 euros per machine. Nine have been started already. First said to come to metropolises, these water flying engines arouse the interest of many big cities such as Paris, Dubai, and even Zurich. Then, it is only a matter of speed limitation. In Paris, maximum speed is limited to 12km/h (7.45mph) on rivers, while SeaBubbles are designed to fly at 40km/h (24.85mph).