Jetpack? Jetpack!... Coming Soon?!

@theprogamer (10534)
United States
January 6, 2008 5:36pm CST
You read it right. They are coming. The first generation of jetpacks produced by Jet Pack International will be out shortly (early 2008). The jetpacks are much better than the prototype models of early last year (only capable of 30 second flights). The new jetpacks will have a range up to 10 miles of flight! One can fly a maximum of 10 miles/(20 minutes of real flight) until refuel, but local unleaded won't refuel this thing. You'll need jet fuel for this design of jet pack. Work still continues on a water fueled or other cleaner fueled jet packs. The jetpack comes with proper training courses for very obvious reasons. It would be very bad if an owner seriously hurt or blew themselves up on their first use of this device. Shelf price tag... $226,000. Also remember it requires jet fuel and that'll set you back a bit too. http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/jetpacks-for-all/jetpack-with-a-10-mile-range-available-soon-for-226000-333150.php Possible questions and comments for discussion If you could get this jet pack, would you? And what would you do with it? If you wouldn't get one why not? How about its use overall? I worry about inevitable user error... When the mass-production factor comes into play and these devices become more accessible to people, what do you think will happen to existing transportation, cities, anything else that maybe influenced by having a jetpack as part of common society?
1 person likes this
3 responses
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
14 Jan 08
So, the Jetsons is really going to come true? I'm not sure what I think about something like that. I've always joked about how I wish I could just "zap" myself from place to place without having to get stuck in traffic or put up with any of the other hassles of travel. Back to the Future here we come! Annie
@theprogamer (10534)
• United States
5 Apr 08
Sounds like it. The other idea you mention though Annie, is the transporter. While a neat idea, there's still a lot of work to be done with that one, and a lot of safety issues (yes yes, I know the jetpack too has its own safety concerns!) Anyways, either transportation method would be pretty neat. For the pack, just imagine soaring through the sky. For the teleporter, imagine being able to take a short respite anywhere in the world (though we'd need to reprise and inform about the hazards of some areas in the world... unfortunate, but its a fact of life).
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
5 Apr 08
I hear ya. I can see someone inadvertently "zapping" themselves into the war zone in Iraq or Afghanistan. Yipes! Annie
@artemis432 (7474)
• Abernathy, Texas
20 Jun 08
Sign me up - if I had the money that is. I'd use it for fun and for traveling short distances. What is the fuel?
@theprogamer (10534)
• United States
28 Jun 08
Its a type of jet fuel and its notably expensive, that's the fuel being used for the jet pack. Thanks to gas prices I'm sure the prices went up significantly.
@ciades (1623)
• Philippines
14 Apr 08
Well, i guess its so expensive and hard to afford it if ever jetpack will be part in a common society. And i think this will not be a good idea. Sound so interesting to try it. But im not that brave to do so.
@theprogamer (10534)
• United States
16 Apr 08
One issue I have with the technology Cia, is that I know how drivers are in their cars. Some are on the cellphone, others drive like they were taught by monkeys, a few people pretend there are no traffic safety laws, and there are the accidents that occur. Could you imagine this going on...in the sky? -_- I can see it raining people already...