By Police1 Staff
DUBAI — Police vehicles may soon have more in common with Luke Skywalker’s landspeeder than with traditional patrol units, at least for the Dubai Police.
USA Today reports Dubai cops are being trained to operate hoverbikes purchased last month from Hoverstuff, a California-based company whose eVTOLs (electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles) have Federal Aviation Administration approval.
Dubai officials aim to deploy a fleet of hoverbikes by 2020 as a means to access tricky spots and otherwise dangerous areas.
Electric fans and propellers enable the vehicles to fly 16 feet above the ground at speeds up to 60 miles per hour. They are operational for up to 25 minutes with a driver and up to 40 minutes as a driverless drone. The vehicles retail for $150,000.