You can ride like a Jedi on this 'Star Wars'-inspired hoverbike that just went on sale for $550,000. See it in action.

Samantha DelouyaFeb 18, 2023, 19:22 IST

The "Star Wars"-inspired vehicle has a hefty price tag, though the company hopes it can lower the cost over the next few years.AERWINS/ALI Technologies

A Tokyo-based company just began delivering its futuristic hoverbikes, called XTurismo.
The bikes are on sale for more than $500,000 and were inspired by the "Star Wars" films.

A Tokyo-based company, ALI Technologies, is helping make sci-fi movies a reality with its new hoverbike.

ALI Technologies is a subsidiary of AERWINS. It was started by a former Merrill Lynch trader.Aerwins

The luxury bike, called the XTurismo, was inspired by "Star Wars."

Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker on a speeder bike. "I wanted to make something from the movie real ... it's a land speeder for the Dark Side," said CEO Shuhei Komatsu.Disney/Lucasfilm

The company has been working on the technology behind the bike since 2017. It has a gas-electric hybrid engine and weighs 660 pounds.

The hoverbikes are roughly 12 ft long and made of carbon fiber.ALI Technologies XTurismo

The XTURISMO can go up to 60 mph, according to the company — but it can only hover for about 40 minutes without needing to land.

The bike has an internal combustion engine and four electric motors.ALI Technologies Inc.

See it in action:

A XTurismo flight test.AERWINS / ALI Technologies

It comes with a hefty price tag: The hoverbike will set you back $550,000.

Komatsu said he hopes to get the price down to $50,000 for an electric hoverbike by 2025.AERWINS / ALI Technologies

The company has said it aims to mass-produce the hoverbikes for disaster response and search and rescue.

ALI Technologies has marketed the bike as a tool for rescue workers but also as a showpiece for public entertainment.AERWINS / ALI Technologies

But for now, it can't be flown freely in the US or Japan, where laws prohibit use over roads.

Japan doesn't require a license to pilot the bike, and the company is hoping the US will make a similar allowance.AERWINS / ALI Technologies

The company delivered its first hoverbike in December 2022 to Japanese businessman Yoshiyuki Aikawa. "I was told that it cannot be used on public roads yet, so I would like to practice flying it on private property first, even over the ocean in Shonan," he said in a press release.

Yoshiyuki Aikawa on the XTurismo hoverbike. Earlier this month, Reuters reported that it was still the only sale of the pricey bike made. The company told Insider it could not disclose how many bikes it has sold so far.Aerwins/ALI Technologies

The company delivered its first hoverbike in December 2022 to Japanese businessman Yoshiyuki Aikawa. "I was told that it cannot be used on public roads yet, so I would like to practice flying it on private property first, even over the ocean in Shonan," he said in a press release.

The company behind the XTurismo hoverbike was listed on the NASDAQ for public trading on February 6. Investors may not be wowed by the bike, as the company's stock has fallen in the days since its debut.

The company trades under the ticker AWIN.AERWINS/ALI Technologies

The company behind the XTurismo hoverbike was listed on the NASDAQ for public trading on February 6. Investors may not be wowed by the bike, as the company's stock has fallen in the days since its debut.

While mass adoption of affordable flying bikes may be a distant reality, XTurismo shows that the technology is possible, though it remains to be seen whether there is adequate demand.

XTurismo promotional video.AERWINS / ALI Technologies

While mass adoption of affordable flying bikes may be a distant reality, XTurismo shows that the technology is possible, though it remains to be seen whether there is adequate demand.

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You can ride like a Jedi on this 'Star Wars'-inspired hoverbike that just went on sale for $550,000. See it in action.

A Tokyo-based company, ALI Technologies, is helping make sci-fi movies a reality with its new hoverbike.

The luxury bike, called the XTurismo, was inspired by "Star Wars."

The company has been working on the technology behind the bike since 2017. It has a gas-electric hybrid engine and weighs 660 pounds.

The XTURISMO can go up to 60 mph, according to the company — but it can only hover for about 40 minutes without needing to land.

See it in action:

It comes with a hefty price tag: The hoverbike will set you back $550,000.

The company has said it aims to mass-produce the hoverbikes for disaster response and search and rescue.

But for now, it can't be flown freely in the US or Japan, where laws prohibit use over roads.

The company delivered its first hoverbike in December 2022 to Japanese businessman Yoshiyuki Aikawa. "I was told that it cannot be used on public roads yet, so I would like to practice flying it on private property first, even over the ocean in Shonan," he said in a press release.

The company behind the XTurismo hoverbike was listed on the NASDAQ for public trading on February 6. Investors may not be wowed by the bike, as the company's stock has fallen in the days since its debut.

While mass adoption of affordable flying bikes may be a distant reality, XTurismo shows that the technology is possible, though it remains to be seen whether there is adequate demand.