The Italian designer Pierpaolo Lazzarini (I am in love with your works, do you see?) presented his new design, Stratosphere Concept. With a diameter of 1,65 meters, Stratosphere is an ultra-light sphere made of carbon fiber capable of accommodating two passengers. The luxurious "bubble" hydrofoil is made of carbon fiber and versatile enough to accommodate electric motors and propellers that literally help it fly over the sea.
A dream hydrofoil sphere
To travel on water, the Aquatic Stratosphere provides an extendable foil mounted in the lower part of the sphere, which allows the submerged part to maintain a very low center of gravity by incorporating all the battery packs. This helps the entire structure, ball and propellers, to function as a gyroscope to keep the cabin stable. An auto-balancing system maintains the smooth ride to destination. The tilt angle of the sphere counteracts any sudden movement: the result is a comfortable ride.
Aquatic Stratosphere is powered by two 150 HP electric motors, which push it forward on the water at one speed of 30 knots. When the speed is reduced, the sphere gently drops to the surface of the water.
The pilot controls the vehicle through a high-tech, easy-to-use central cockpit. One of the passengers will also have to do all the piloting, regardless of whether the sphere travels over water or mid-air.
It can also fly and walk (as long as it's a concept it can do anything)
In the intentions of the designer, Stratosfera Volatile can also adopt the characteristics of an electric vehicle, or an eVTOL. The spherical shape powered by eight counter-rotating propellers would fly at speeds of 250 km / h (155 mph), or could take off with the help of a hot air balloon covered by a solar panel. I am skeptical. And in any case, the study does not provide details on the estimated distance or flight altitude, as well as the details on the performance of the vehicle version.
Access to the hydrofoil sphere is guaranteed by a sliding front window or through an opening in the roof. The studio plans to launch Stratosphere as an open source project by the middle of the 2022. Investors and direct buyers will be able to contribute to the development and upgrade process of this versatile electric vehicle.
