A team of developers from east China's Zhejiang University successfully tested a jet-powered backpack on Friday, bringing to life a self-transportation device that appears to be straight out of science-fiction.
Powered by turbojet engines, the device has been designed and built entirely in China by the university's JetRob Team and allows the operator to control the direction and altitude with arm movements.
"The jetpack is primarily powered by turbojet engines. It has fuel tanks on both sides on the back, one engine in the middle of the back and another two engines on each arm. The structural weight of the device, without fuel, is 31 kilograms, and with a full fuel load, it is 46 kilograms," said Jiao Bojing, the team's mechanical systems and flight engineer.
The jet-powered backpack enables human flight for three to five minutes at altitudes below 1,500 meters, achieving a theoretical maximum speed of approximately 100 kilometers per hour.
The backpack is transitioning from laboratory research to commercial pilot projects, with potential applications in emergency rescue and special operations.
"Currently, the device demands a degree of upper-body strength from the user to manage flight through arm movements. For the next generation, we aim to develop systems enabling autonomous flights controlled by the aircraft itself or by humanoid robots," Jiao said.
University engineer pioneers flight with jet-powered backpack
