Source: Youtube/SCMPSource: Youtube/SMCP
A flying scooter? A single-seater drone? A speedy cloud finally hearing its calling up in the sky above?
Call it what you will, anyone is free to find the object of their desires in this unique form of transport – the ‘Magic Cloud’.
Made by 40yo Chinese national Zhao Deli, the romantic aspect of this bizarre means of transport lies mostly in its name.
With his “Jin Dou Yun” (literally “Magic Cloud”), Zhao has realised his dream to bring to the people the ability to fly independently above everything and everyone.
Despite being only a primitive prototype, the Magic Cloud can actually fly a human being, as the video below attests.
And to prove it, the inventor himself put himself up in the air, flying over a crowd of onlookers at a height of about 8 metres.
The drone, driven by four rotors, supported the weight of the owner, and has apparently been designed to accommodate a mass of up to 100 kg.
Zhao says the drone has a top speed of 72km/hr and can fly for up to 30 minutes.
The creation of the Magic Cloud however has been at a cost, it has been reported: for the last two years, Zhao stopped working to devote himself entirely to designing and developing the Magic Cloud, along the way spending something like $ 165,000 to improve the vehicle’s safety and performance.
Inspired by the old cartoon show ‘Monkey Magic’, Zhao has acheived what many others have tried and failed.
But it has taken time and patience – after over 1,500 test flights, he developed what he claims is a safe and reliable vehicle. Congratulations on your tenacity, Mr. Zhao!