Electric-powered Helicopter

At the International Robotics Exhibition in Tokyo in Japan this week, there is a surprising thing, namely the appearance of an unmanned electric helicopter, HX-1. But even more surprising is according to the brochure details from the manufacturers will plan BIT Electric Micro Helicopter (manned) and is the process of production to be launched by the end of this year.

Hirobo HX-1 unmanned electric helicopter. (Picture from: http://www.gizmag.com/)

Hirobo is a well-known company with the scale radio control helicopter products which based in Hiroshima, Japan. In recent years the company has been manufacturing and developing a variety of advanced radio control technology.

The unmanned HX-1 Rescue Helicopter. (Picture from: http://www.gizmag.com/)

HX-1 helicopter is fully configurable for a variety of purposes including including aerial photography, search and rescue, surveying and the transport of medical supplies, organs or blood, in order to save lives.

Hirobo HX-1 has auto-return function for emergencies and use the coaxial counter-rotating blades and a brushless electric motor as its power source. This helicopter can fly for half an hour with a range of about 30 miles (48 km) at a top speed of 62 mph (100 km/h). The HX-1 will sell for ¥8 million (approx U.S $80,000) complete with a spare battery set and the full medical kit.

While the BIT Electric Micro Helicopter is an electric powered helicopter prototype with one crew was first exhibited at the International Aerospace Exhibition in Nagoya last year, this helicopter is quite a steal much attention when exhibited.

Hirobo BIT Electric Micro Helicopter is an electric powered helicopter prototype with one crew. (Picture from: http://www.gizmag.com/)

As quoted from RocketNews24, on Thursday, November 22, 2012, the helicopter manufacturing project spend up to ¥10 billion (or approx U.S. $125 million), and is scheduled to be completed in 2021. It seems that time scale has been shortened considerably – we were told the BIT would be ready for market in 2016, and a lack of regulations by the United States Federal Aviation Authority would be the inhibiting factor as to the BIT's availability at market.

Various prices have been mentioned for the BIT in different publications, but Takahiro Koboyashi, Hirobo's Overseas Group Sales Manager, suggested it would sell for approximately three times the price of the HX-1 or approximately U.S. $240,000. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | HIROBO | INHABITAT | GIZMAG]

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