First robots, now hoverbikes: Dubai Police begin training officers on fliers

Police begin training on flying devices and aim to be in day-to-day operation by 2020

A screengrab of the video posted on the Dubai Police official Twitter account.
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Not content with a Ferrari, Lamborghini and robot police officer, Dubai Police are now testing the use of flying motorbikes.

The emirate's police force is apparently training two crews to use hoverbikes.

A tweet posted to the Dubai Media Office showed one in action with the Dubai Police logo emblazoned on the side.

The hoverbikes will be used a first-response unit for hard to reach areas, police said

These units were first revealed last year. Khalid Al Mazooqi, the general director of Dubai Police headquarters artificial intelligence department, said he expects them in field by 2020.

The hoverbikes are made by a Russian company called Hoversurf and are believed to cost about $150,000 (Dh550,875). It is believed the bikes can reach speeds of 96 kilometres an hour and fly up to five metres above the ground. But battery life is believed to be an issue.

Last year it was announced Dubai would introduce "flying taxis" by the end of 2017. But they have yet to take off.

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