A Flike is a tricopter with a hybrid-electric vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) hoverbike concept aircraft which was designed by FLIKE.AERO for the extreme adventure enthusiast. It’s a totally new type of vehicle with 3×2 1,5meter propellers, 6 electric motors, flight controller computer and range extender.
source-image: behance/Flike
The Flike, or flying bike, has similar seating as a motorcycle, an open cockpit, a cruise speed of 100 kp/h and has a grand total of three sets of ducted propellers.
source-image: behance/Flike
The pilot doesn’t need a lot of special training due to how easy it is to fly the aircraft. Beside safety and ergonomy, one of the key points of the design was to create an appealing object for the extreme adventure seeker target audience. The shape emphasizes the dynamics and the excitement of the tricopter ride. During the design process some interesting challenges occurred. For example the casing of the tricopter had to be designed by placing the centre of gravity into a specified spot.
source-image: behance/Flike
To be able to do that all the sub- assembly parts and their place had to be created extremely precisely and this process affected the overall look as well. The flight position also influenced the the design as the maximum lift is achieved when the vehicle is in a 15 degree position. To reach even more powerful performance, pipe propellers were designed and installed onto the Flike.
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As mentioned above, Flike is a one of a kind vehicle, without any pre-concept, and as one, it has a completely unique interface as well, designed by the same studio as the casing. This way, the user interface is an organic part of the overall, finished design.Flike’s dashboard is in between the looks of the dashboard of a racing motorbike and a helicopter.
source-image: behance/Flike
As this tricopter is mostly for entertaining and extreme experience it was essential to create a visual that is appealing to the design sensitive target group beside to be able to indicate the most important flight data.
source-image: behance/Flike
The two joysticks control the height within the limited area and the direction. As the ride is automatized or partly automatized, the interface had to be designed to be the simplest and safest as possible for a pleasant experience and safety.
