Rictor’s Skyrider X1 is equal parts moped, quadcopter and fantasy

According to Wikipedia, the first term for the term “post-truth” was coined by Steve Teisch in 1992 to describe the political situation after Watergate. Apparently, ol’ Stevie hasn’t been to CES, where the point of telling the truth is a little less common than in other public affairs. Apropos of nothing, a company called Rictor, which manufactures and sells an electric bicycle, the Rictor K1, is advertising Pictures of the Skyrider X1. A moped-cum-quadcopter which you can use to view the streets one second, and the sky the next. Which, as you know, is something that every electric power company can achieve by the promised date of 2026.

The Skyrider X1, its creators say, is an electric one with a closed cabinet that, when things get too crowded, turns into a quadcopter. All you have to do is pull out four arms, each with two fanblades, and you’ll be able to climb up to 200 meters above the ground. Rictor says safety is a top priority, including many redundant systems, and in case of failure, a built-in parachute. In addition, the Skyrider X1 can automatically take off and land, and can plan its optimal route while in the air. And on the company’s website, it is said that the X1 SL, with a 10.5kWh battery will have a flight time of 25 minutes, while the X1 SX, with a 21kWh battery, will be in the air for 40 minutes.

That’s pretty impressive, not to mention that the company wants to sell the Skyrider X1 for $60,000, well below what you’d expect to pay for a mop-copter in this class. You can buy one and use it to speed up your DoorDash delivery and earn sweet money on tips. Maybe, when the pre-order page opens, you can deposit the money before you go to my new business, where I will sell you a bridge. Deep, one of the many bridges of London, you will have, all to yourself, but you have to prepare for delivery and pay for shipping with a third party I have never discovered.