Should you hadn’t heard, Kawasaki is a really massive firm. And as a really massive firm, its merchandise are assorted. No, it does not simply make sick-AF supercharged bikes that Tom Cruise rides round on.
However although we at RideApart have talked about its oddities earlier than, i.e. its H2R-powered drone helicopter, we have been shocked after we discovered the next two patents. Like, we really requested ourselves, “What the hell is Kawasaki planning?”
The dual patents, filed on the identical day, relate to an unmanned drone system the place a foldable UAV is launched out of the again of a field truck. And if that feels like one thing out of some Tom Cruise film, it is as a result of I believe it is from a Tom Cruise film. It is also out of another spy film, however I can firmly say I really feel like I’ve seen this in theaters earlier than. However once more, this all begs the query, what the hell is Kawasaki planning?
Is that this a Skynet state of affairs or is Group Inexperienced planning on taking on the world?
The primary of the 2 patents pertains to the drone itself which, like different military-style drones, incorporates a small airplane-shaped drone with a single propeller on the entrance and a four-winged rear tail. However not like different drones, the primary wings swivel atop the primary fuselage in order that it may be saved in a thinner compartment, i.e. a field truck. Likewise, these rear stabilizer wings fold downward, once more, so it may be simply match inside one thing.
That is the place the second patent is available in.
The patent is titled “Flight Automobile Transport Cart, Flight Automobile Transport System, Container, and Flight Automobile Transport Methodology” and exhibits off a number of drawings, together with a cart system to launch the drone, a rail system to be embedded right into a truck’s ground, and drawings of the drone inside a field truck.
It provides “CIA-operated fast-attack drone supply.” Once more, one thing out of a Bond or Mission Unattainable flick.
In line with the second patent’s summary, “This flight automobile transport cart is a transport cart for carrying a flight automobile, and is supplied with a base that helps the flight automobile, and a minimum of one leg offered on the bottom. The leg features a leg physique linked to the bottom, a wheel connected to the leg physique, and a movable construction for permitting the leg physique to be moved between a stowed state, the place the wheel is closest to the bottom in an up-down route of the transport cart, and a deployed state, the place the wheel is separated downward away from the bottom in comparison with the stowed state.”
The flight automobile is the aforementioned drone, which states in its patent “Offered is an unmanned plane which is compact in a saved state.” Good day, truck launch.
As for what the hell Kawasaki is patenting a truck-launched drone, I’ve received nothing however guesses. And none of them relate to the corporate’s sportbikes, off-roaders, ATVs, UTVs, or jet skis. My thoughts races towards pulp fiction novels and Hollywood. Kawasaki, nevertheless, is a protection contractor, having constructed fighters, long-range planes, helicopters, and submarines. However drones aren’t within the firm’s repertoire in the intervening time, although that could possibly be altering.
So what do you assume? Is Kawasaki planning on going full Physician Evil? Or is the corporate engaged on a secret CIA-funded black ops undertaking? Tell us within the feedback under.
