Just another day out flying and cruising around town for the latest in hybrid technology: the SkyCruiser.<br /><br />One could be mistaken for thinking it is just another aircraft. But it is, in fact, also a road vehicle. <br /><br />Taking off and landing like a helicopter, this hybrid electric aircraft combines the best of all technologies according to its creators, Arizona-based company Krossblade Aerospace Systems. <br /><br />Its switchblade rotor system enables it to take off vertically and land in small areas – eliminating the need for a runway. <br /><br />Thanks to its 320 horse power electric motor, the whole process is relatively quiet. Once the aircraft reaches flying altitude, the rotors disengage and fold back in. <br /><br />That’s when the SkyCruiser shifts into airplane mode, with the rear-mounted propellers flying the aircraft to its destination. What distinguishes it from the average helicopter is its speed: the SkyCruiser can hit speeds of up to 500 km per hour, making it much faster and more fuel efficient than a helicopter. It can also fly up to 1,600 kilometres carrying cargo. <br /><br />Once the SkyCruiser has reached its destination, a strange kind of sci-fi transformation unfolds: after landing, the five-seater craft simply turns into a vehicle. <br /><br />Though the design is merely a concept for now, it is tempting to imagine how an all-in-one vehicle like this could one day revolutionise transport on our planet.
