At this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Rictor, an international brand incubated by Kuickwheel, unveiled two new products: a flying motorbike and an electric kart boat.
Rictor’s flying bike, the Skyrider X1, is an amphibious passenger vehicle equipped with a four-axis, eight-propeller design. Constructed with carbon fiber composite and aviation-grade aluminum, it combines high performance with durability. The vehicle can reach a maximum flight speed of 100 kilometers per hour and offers a flight time of up to 40 minutes, supported by a 50-kilowatt onboard DC charging station.
A standout feature of the Skyrider X1 is its automatic route planning capability. It can autonomously determine the optimal flight path based on set destinations, adjusting altitude, speed, and direction in real time to account for weather and environmental changes, ensuring a safe and efficient flying experience.
Additionally, the Skyrider X1 is equipped with automatic takeoff and landing functions, significantly reducing operational risks. Pilots simply need to input their destination, and the vehicle will autonomously execute takeoff and landing processes. For those preferring manual control, joystick operation is also supported.
In terms of safety, the Skyrider X1 features a triple-redundancy flight control system, ensuring that even in the event of a single engine failure, the vehicle remains airworthy. Complementary safety measures include a battery management system for enhanced battery protection and an integrated emergency parachute.
Kuickwheel believes that the Skyrider X1 holds distinct advantages in lightness, flexibility, and pricing compared to existing low-altitude flying products in the market.
The electric kart boat marks Rictor’s venture into water-based mobility. Designed with a solid expanded polypropylene (EPP) frame reinforced by a metal structure, the boat is both lightweight and durable, capable of supporting up to 150 kilograms. Powered by a robust 15,000-watt motor, it delivers a runtime of up to 70 minutes and achieves a top speed of 45 km/h.
Kuickwheel has consistently focused on developing and innovating products for intelligent short-distance mobility. Its core offerings, which include electric scooters, bicycles, and motorcycles, are available in over 80 countries and regions worldwide through both consumer and shared-economy channels.
In recent years, advancements in technology and growing demand for diversified mobility solutions have propelled electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) technology in significance. The low-altitude economy has also gained policy support over the past two years, with the Chinese government identifying it as a “new growth engine” for the first time last year.
According to a 2024 report by the China Center for Information Industry Development (CCID), the global low-altitude economy is forecast to surpass RMB 1 trillion (USD 140 billion), reaching RMB 1.06 trillion (USD 148.4 billion) by 2026.
The launch of the flying bike and electric kart boat signifies an important step for Kuickwheel as it leverages its accumulated technological expertise to expand into air, land, and water mobility. It also aligns with the Chinese market’s growing interest in the low-altitude economy.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This article was written by Leslie Zhang for 36Kr.