THE Hoverpod could very well revolutionise air travel.

Australian company Entecho has come up with a prototype of a flying machine that resembles a flying saucer and uses fan technology to give it lift.

The CAV or compact air vehicle has vertical take-off and landing ability, and can be launched from anywhere and fly over any surface like water, sand or snow.

The vehicle can hover up to 1.5m above ground and can cruise at maximum speed of 120kmh.

The disc-shaped chassis carries a person or payload in the centre.

Air is drawn from the upper side of the aircraft, then forced downward through the rotors, which spin inside the shell of the aircraft.

The resulting pressure propels the aircraft off the ground.

Flexible skirt

At the bottom of the aircraft is a flexible skirt which can be pulled or released. This directs the flow of air and consequently, the direction of the aircraft. Steering is done using a joystick.

The huge blades which enable it to hover are hidden, making it safer as compared to helicopters, which have exposed blades.

The Hoverpod will also save space and operational cost as it does not need runways or airports. It can fit in a garage.

The Hoverpod can be used for recreational activities such as beach rides and for emergencies like marine rescue operations.

The Hoverpod is still in the development stage, but it is believed by the time it becomes a reality, the flying car should be able to deploy solar or even fuel cell technology to power its flight.

Rotor

The compact auto vehicle rotor is a cylindrical drum fan which rotates about the central vertical axis of the craft where the rider is.

Airflow

As the drum fan rotates, it pumps air radially through its blades. The air is drawn in and is then accelerated as it passes through the fan. It is then directed downward by the skirt, creating lift.

High pressure

High-pressure regions form as a result of the air being accelerated through the ducts by the rotating fan blades. These regions of high pressure produce powerful lifting forces.

Lift off

The vehicle is lifted as a result of all the forces joining together.

This article was first published in The New Paper.