Yep, it looks like it's on some kind of buoy and you just sort of lug it around. It looks very fun. Although, I don't know why an engine, a hose and a nozzle cost 136k. I guess R&D, so I expect the price to drop to $500 eventually?
I'm sure the price will drop if they catch on but, assuming it's basically a hacked jet-ski with a hose & harness attached to it, they still won't be cheap. A jet ski can set you back anywhere from $10k - $50k around here, so it's still a luxury item for most.
Without taking anything from Raymond Li, who did something awesome, is this really a brand new thing, as the article seems to say? I think I remember seeing water-powered jetpacks on TV (Discovery, I think) years back. Does anyone remember any previous attempts on devices like that?
The hose seems to act as a kite's tail, providing stability.
It is cool, but I wonder if the 'tail' reduces the feeling of free flight. It certainly tethers you, restricting your range. Could this be useful for work on oil spills? Marine biology? Coast guard?
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[ 5.0 ms ] story [ 51.4 ms ] threadClever hack, though.
If you really want to be depressed, look into what those $400 fiberglass ladders at Home Depot actually cost to produce.
Recreation is full of inefficent ways of doing things just because they are fun.
It is cool, but I wonder if the 'tail' reduces the feeling of free flight. It certainly tethers you, restricting your range. Could this be useful for work on oil spills? Marine biology? Coast guard?