Move Over James Bond. Here Comes a Jetpack for the Rest of Us A company in New Zealand thinks it's finally time we take our commute to the skies, jetpack-style.

By Jason Fell

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

jamesbond.wikia.com

Say goodbye to the gridlock on your morning commute. Taking a cue from James Bond's Q, developers in New Zealand have come up with a personal jetpack that not only looks amazing, it might actually work.

The machine is the brainchild of inventor Glenn Martin, who has been working on the design for more than three decades. "Inspired by childhood television shows such as Thunderbirds and Lost in Space, Martin set out in the early 1980s to create a jetpack suitable for everyday use by ordinary people with no specialist pilot training," the AFP reported.

Called Martin Aircraft, the developers came up with a machine that consists of a pair of cylinders with propulsion fans attached to a free-standing carbon-fiber frame. To pilot the device, one backs into the frame, straps him or herself in and uses a pair of joysticks as controls.

#insert related here#

Technically, the Martin Aircraft "jetpack" might not be a true jetpack after all, since it is propelled by fans blowing air instead of the traditional idea of jets of escaping gases. But, who cares? This thing looks cool. It even comes with a rocket-propelled parachute in case the pilot loses control.

While the group is still working out some details on the design, New Zealand's Civil Aviation Authority issued the device a permit for manned test flights. In a 2011 test, a Martin Aircraft successfully carried a dummy pilot 5,000 feet above sea level.

Martin Aircraft says a version of the jetpack designed for the military and first-responder emergency crews could be ready for delivery as early as 2014, according to the AFP. A model aimed at the general public is expected to be on the market in 2015 and cost somewhere between $150,000 and $250,000.

I hope the price comes down, significantly, or how else am I supposed to pretend I'm James Bond in Thunderball?

What crazy apps and gadgets have you come across lately? Let us know by emailing us at FarOutTech@entrepreneur.com or by telling us in the comments below.

Wavy Line
Jason Fell

VP, Native Content

Jason Fell is the VP of Native Content, managing the Entrepreneur Partner Studio, which creates dynamic and compelling content for our partners. He previously served as Entrepreneur.com's managing editor and as the technology editor prior to that.

Editor's Pick

She's Been Coding Since Age 7 and Presented Her Life-Saving App to Tim Cook Last Year. Now 17, She's on Track to Solve Even Bigger Problems.
Lock
I Helped Grow 4 Unicorns Over 10 Years That Generated $18 Billion in Online Revenues. Here's What I've Learned.
Lock
Want to Break Bad Habits and Supercharge Your Business? Use This Technique.
Lock
Don't Have Any Clients But Need Customer Testimonials? Follow These 3 Tricks To Boost Your Rep.
Why Are Some Wines More Expensive Than Others? A Top Winemaker Gives a Full-Bodied Explanation.

Related Topics

Business News

Woman Goes Viral For Brow-Raising Email Signature About Working Moms: 'Everyone Is Feeling This'

The email signature was created in response to pressure to answer emails within 24 hours.

Money & Finance

The Ultimate Guide to Equity Compensation

This is a quick guide for employees to understand and familiarize themselves with the most important aspects of equity compensation.

Legal

7 Strategies to Master the Art of Mergers and Acquisitions

By following these best practices, parties can increase the likelihood of reaching a successful M&A deal that benefits all stakeholders.

Business News

California Colleges Are Flooded With 'Ghost Students' Attempting to Steal Financial Aid

About 20% of applications for California community colleges are fraudulent, according to the State Chancellor's Office.

Science & Technology

How AI Is Transforming the Accounting Industry — and What the Future Will Look Like

It's time to harness the power of AI and transform bookkeeping.