Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Martin says its jetpack is 'practical,' offers crappy computer animation as evidence]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/27/martin-says-its-jetpack-is-practical-offers-crappy-computer-a/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/27/martin-says-its-jetpack-is-practical-offers-crappy-computer-a/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/27/martin-says-its-jetpack-is-practical-offers-crappy-computer-a/#comments Jetpack Ever wonder what a jetpack is good for, besides fulfilling dreams and fighting Nazis? Well, Martin wants you to know there are, in fact, practical applications for its $86,000 personal propulsion system. According to the aviation company everyone from emergency responders to search and rescue teams to military personnel could find a place for the dual-engine craft in their arsenal of tools. Sure, we could see how their ability to get in and out where the size of a helicopter or plane might be prohibitive would prove handy, but their high cost and limited carrying capacity make them a tough sell. That doesn't mean we don't enjoy seeing the (poorly) rendered vision of our future filled with jetpacks in the video after the break. Come to think of it, we could see this coming in handy for our CES coverage... excuse us, we need to make some phone calls.

Continue reading Martin says its jetpack is 'practical,' offers crappy computer animation as evidence

Martin says its jetpack is 'practical,' offers crappy computer animation as evidence originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 27 Nov 2011 01:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>jetpackjetpacksmartinmartin jetpackMartinJetpackpersonal flightpersonal jetpackpersonal transportationPersonalFlightPersonalJetpackPersonalTransportationvideoSun, 27 Nov 2011 01:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Martin Jetpack hits the 5,000 feet milestone, could come to market within 18 months (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/29/martin-jetpack-hits-the-5-000-feet-milestone-could-come-to-mark/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/29/martin-jetpack-hits-the-5-000-feet-milestone-could-come-to-mark/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/29/martin-jetpack-hits-the-5-000-feet-milestone-could-come-to-mark/#comments OK, so the Martin Jetpack may not have gone into commercial production quite as soon as we'd anticipated, but there's still hope on the horizon. Over the weekend, Glenn Martin's flying machine successfully climbed some 5,000 feet above sea level, marking a new milestone in the 30-year, $12 million project. Remotely controlled by a tailing helicopter, the 250-pound craft used its two "superfans" to power itself skyward at about 800 feet per second minute, before safely parachuting back to Earth from a height of about 3,000 feet. As with its last test run, however, the Martin Jetpack was equipped not with a human being, but with a crash dummy. It may have been for the best, though, considering that the machine sustained some damage upon concluding the ten-minute flight. Nevertheless, Martin seems confident that yesterday's test "brings the future another step closer," and is hoping to deliver his brainchild to customers within the next 18 months -- plenty of time for us to hawk enough family heirlooms to afford that $86,000 price tag. Soar past the break for a video of the jetpack's big launch, or check out the source link for a more extensive interview with Martin and some background footage of his invention.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading Martin Jetpack hits the 5,000 feet milestone, could come to market within 18 months (video)

Martin Jetpack hits the 5,000 feet milestone, could come to market within 18 months (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 29 May 2011 17:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aviationcommercial productionCommercialProductionelevationflightglenn martinGlennMartinJetPackmartin jetpackMartinJetpackmilestonenew zealandNewZealandpersonal flyingpersonal flying machinePersonalFlyingPersonalFlyingMachinepriceproductionremote controlRemoteControlspeedsuperfantesttest flighttest runTestFlightTestRunvideoSun, 29 May 2011 17:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Martin Jetpack flies again, sees IPO on horizon but no commercial sales yet (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/05/martin-jetpack-flies-again-sees-ipo-on-horizon-but-no-commercia/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/05/martin-jetpack-flies-again-sees-ipo-on-horizon-but-no-commercia/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/05/martin-jetpack-flies-again-sees-ipo-on-horizon-but-no-commercia/#comments We were all aflutter this time last year when it was announced that the Martin Jetpack was finally available commercially and would be heading out to eager buyers in exchange for $86,000. Regrettably, the time since then hasn't been filled with bunches of happy new owners levitating on the power of their dual-fan-equipped Jetpack and even less encouragement can be found on the product's website, which still says that sales to private individuals will begin only once "development and refinement" of the vehicle is complete. To that end, we've got video of the Jetpack's latest test, which shows it elevating as high as it's ever done, but even that's tinged by the fact it's carrying a testing dummy and is remotely controlled by a grounded human below. Ah well, at least the company itself seems to be in good shape still and is looking forward to floating about 30 percent of its value on the local stock market in order to gain extra funding. We get the feeling if they could just start selling the darn things, cashflow shouldn't be a problem. Video after the break.

[Thanks, Sean]

Continue reading Martin Jetpack flies again, sees IPO on horizon but no commercial sales yet (video)

Martin Jetpack flies again, sees IPO on horizon but no commercial sales yet (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 13:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>demonstrationflightipojetpackMartin Aircraftmartin jetpackMartinAircraftMartinJetpackPersonal TransporterPersonalTransportertesttest flightTestFlighttestingvideoTue, 05 Apr 2011 13:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Martin Jetpack priced at $86,000, mere mortals will soon be able to buy one too]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/10/martin-jetpack-priced-at-86-000-mere-mortals-will-soon-be-able/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/10/martin-jetpack-priced-at-86-000-mere-mortals-will-soon-be-able/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/10/martin-jetpack-priced-at-86-000-mere-mortals-will-soon-be-able/#comments Tired of the limited legroom, bad food, and worse movies you have to put up with during a flight? Well, it's time to bust out your company credit card and get yourself a Martin Jetpack, which has just become the first commercially available jetpack. Driven by a pair of washing machine-sized fans strapped to your back, this personal transporter will give you a pretty cool 30 minutes of flight time and comes with a bunch of redundancy systems to ensure any mistakes don't turn fatal. The rotors are built out of a carbon / Kevlar composite and are powered by a two-liter V4 two-stroke engine capable of delivering 200hp (or 150kW). Good old gasoline is the fuel of choice here and private individuals are expected to be offered the chance to fulfill every geek and geekette's dream later this year. Just make sure you have $86,000 lying around to fund it.

Martin Jetpack priced at $86,000, mere mortals will soon be able to buy one too originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>flightflyingjetpackmartinmartin aircraftmartin jetpackMartinAircraftMartinJetpacknew zealandNewZealandpersonal flightpersonal transportationPersonalFlightPersonalTransportationWed, 10 Mar 2010 04:24:00 EST<![CDATA[Martin Jetpack public test flights taking off in early 2010]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/02/martin-jetpack-public-test-flights-taking-off-in-early-2010/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/02/martin-jetpack-public-test-flights-taking-off-in-early-2010/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/02/martin-jetpack-public-test-flights-taking-off-in-early-2010/#comments Those crazy Kiwis at Martin Jetpack like to pop in every now and then to show off their eponymous flying craft, and though we still don't have a timeframe for plunking down $150,000 to own one and donning our best Boba Fett costume for the inaugural flight home, the company is making accommodations. Starting early next year in its hometown of Christchurch, New Zealand, you'll be able to try out the flight pack yourself as part of the Martin Jetpack Experience. The "low, slow" thrill ride won't hover above 3.3 feet or go faster than 6.2 miles per hour, but according to The New Zealand Herald, it's only expected to cost about as much as bungie jumping, and if you ask really nicely, we're sure they won't mind you wearing the costume anyway.

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Martin Jetpack public test flights taking off in early 2010 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 02 Aug 2009 09:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>christ churchChristChurchchristchurch new zealandChristchurchNewZealandflight packflight suitFlightPackFlightSuitjet packJetPackkiwikiwismartin jetpackmartin jetpack experienceMartinJetpackMartinJetpackExperiencenew zealandNewZealandnzSun, 02 Aug 2009 09:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Martin Jetpack flies again, but you still can't buy one]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/video-martin-jetpack-flies-again-but-you-still-cant-buy-one/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/video-martin-jetpack-flies-again-but-you-still-cant-buy-one/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/video-martin-jetpack-flies-again-but-you-still-cant-buy-one/#comments
You know, for a device as potentially bad ass as the Martin Jetpack is -- the company boasts a maximum range of 31.5 miles at 63 mph, and the ability to hover at 8,000 feet above ground effect -- the video we've seen thus far has been pretty lackluster. Of course, you can't actually get your hands on one anyways (check back in January 2010), but that isn't stopping the company from accepting your $10,000 deposit for the opportunity to get in on the ground floor. Despite all that, we couldn't help but feel all a-flutter when we watched the newest clip and realized that someday soon our dreams of super heroism might be fulfilled -- and with a rocket strapped to our back, no less. Check it out for yourself after the break.

[Via Oh Gizmo!]

Continue reading Video: Martin Jetpack flies again, but you still can't buy one

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Video: Martin Jetpack flies again, but you still can't buy one originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 08 May 2009 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aircraftAirVentureEAA AirVentureEaaAirventurehelicopterjetpackmartin jetpackMartinJetpackpersonal herlicopterpersonal transporterPersonalHerlicopterPersonalTransportervideoFri, 08 May 2009 13:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Martin Jetpack officially unveiled, lifts off on video]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/29/martin-jetpack-officially-unveiled-lifts-off-on-video/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/29/martin-jetpack-officially-unveiled-lifts-off-on-video/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/29/martin-jetpack-officially-unveiled-lifts-off-on-video/#comments
One of mankind's most adored gadgets (yes, the jetpack) is moving one step closer to mainstream today with the unveiling of the Martin Jetpack. Revealed in front of a crowd in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, this human transporter is technically defined by the FAA as an "experimental ultralight airplane, equipped with a gas-powered, V-4 piston engine and two ducted fans that provide the lift." Currently, the $100,000 machine can only hover for around 30 minutes and rise to 8,000 feet, and those who sign up to purchase one will first have to complete 15 hours of flight training as well as a "safety screening." Check out an all-too-short video after the jump to see the device lift off, float around and land -- totally underwhelming, but the optimistic few will surely see promise.

Read - Martin Jetpack unveiling, video
Read - Details on Martin Jetpack
Read - More photos from EAA AirVenture

Continue reading Martin Jetpack officially unveiled, lifts off on video

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Martin Jetpack officially unveiled, lifts off on video originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 29 Jul 2008 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aircraftAirVentureEAA AirVentureEaaAirventurehelicopterjetpackmartin jetpackMartinJetpackpersonal herlicopterpersonal transporterPersonalHerlicopterPersonalTransportervideoTue, 29 Jul 2008 13:20:00 EST