New Zealanders are a quiet lot who prefer to get on with their lives in their semi retro part of the world. However, once in a while one of them breaks ranks and comes out with a really good idea. The Manta5 electric water bicycle arrived a little early for your 2020 Christmas stocking but its making quite a splash at CES.
But How Practical Is the Electric Water Bicycle Really
The Consumer Electronics Show at Las Vegas Convention Center is a real boon for battery bloggers. The energy research sector goes semi-dormant as associate professors go out to party over Christmas and New Year. And then along comes CES in early January with a batch of new, innovative ideas.
Many of these thoughts vanish into shifting sands of technology never to appear again. However, we suspect this new water toy from Waikato on the upper north island may sustain. That’s because the Manta5 electric water bicycle is already in limited production after a pilot delivery in December 2019. The project has just entered a scaled-down mass production phase with first orders for April, May 2020 sold out.
Introducing the Technology Behind Manta5 Hydrofoiler
An unknown number of aqua fans have made good with their $7,490’s to secure their places. This rises to $8,990 from April 2020 so that’s what you’ll pay. The Manta Hydrofoiler XE-1 skims across the surface of water unlike a conventional pedal boat. However, it needs robust foot-assist to lift it out the water whereafter all that’s needed is gentle pedaling.
The Manta5 electric water bicycle is a hybrid electric bike. Sure, it’s got an electric pedal-assist motor on lithium battery power. However, this time the 400-watt device powers an underwater propeller, not a rear wheel. Actually, there are no wheels at all because it glides on front and rear hydrofoils instead.
So there should be no punctures while riders learn to master the beast. Although we expect to see considerably more splashes as it ripples through the leisure industry.
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Preview Image: Manta5 Electric Bicycle-Hydrofoiler
Video Share Link: https://youtu.be/0436zu_7dno
