ARCABOARD 2
The ArcaBoard 2 will be used by the teams to compete in the World Championship.
It is also available to buy commercially.
Overview
The ArcaBoard 2 is the latest evolution of the revolutionary ArcaBoard, which was released a decade ago.
While personal flying vehicles are slowly becoming a reality, the original ArcaBoard, released in 2015, essentially kick-started the market for personal electric VTOL vehicles.
Ten years later, the luxury fashion brand ArcaFashion introduced the ArcaBoard 2, an open-cockpit, single-seater racing vehicle that hovers above the ground thanks to its electric propulsion system, designed to compete in circuit speed races.
The ArcaBoard hovers in ground effect at heights of up to three metres thanks to its ducted propellers, which are driven by battery-powered electric motors and create an air cushion below the vehicle. It is capable of manoeuvring in all directions under the control of a pilot.
It is built from composite materials taken directly from the fabrication lines for rockets and spacecraft.
Bodywork
The ArcaBoard's bodywork is built entirely from lightweight yet extremely strong composite materials.
The vehicle comprises two main sections: the central structure and the right and left main propulsion nacelles.
The central structure houses the prone pilot, who enjoys good visibility in all directions - including downwards - thanks to the large frontal cutout. This makes the most of the benefits of flying in the prone position.
Twelve main propulsion ducted fans are arranged in four units, with two on each side of the central structure.
The ArcaBoard 2's structure alone weighs just 30 kg.
The most natural riding position
The ArcaBoard 2 is designed for riding in a prone position.
We opted for this position rather than a seated position because we believe it offers the most intimate riding experience. In a seated position, looking down at our feet while flying would obstruct our view and detract from the experience, so we wanted to avoid that.
When we dream of hovering close to the ground, we don't dream of hovering sitting in a chair. We dream of hovering with our chests facing the ground and looking down freely. Birds fly with their chests facing the ground.
Therefore, with the ArcaBoard 2, we aimed to offer pilots the most intimate hovering experience possible.
Piloting an ArcaBoard
The ArcaBoard 2 provides complete freedom of movement in all directions.
Beyond the advanced technology used in this vehicle, the ArcaBoard 2 is a sports vehicle, which is controlled like a motorcycle, by shifting the rider's centre of gravity.
The pilot is positioned along the vehicle's longitudinal axis in an articulated system with two degrees of freedom, which allows the pilot's center of gravity - and thus that of the vehicle - to be adjusted as needed for manoeuvring.
The throttle lever is operated by the pilot in a manner similar to that of a motorcycle. Rotating the throttle lever clockwise increases thrust, causing the vehicle to move upwards, while rotating counter clockwise decreases thrust, causing the vehicle to move downwards.
Safety features
Over the past 27 years, ArcaSpace has carried out dozens of missions in the most challenging conditions on land, at sea, in the air and in near-space. It has an impeccable safety record. This has been achieved thanks to its strict safety procedures.
Therefore, it is only logical to apply the same safety philosophy to the design and operation of the ArcaBoard 2 vehicle.
Hovering close to the ground is consistent with the original ArcaBoard philosophy of flight and safety.
In this regard, the design incorporates a number of essential safety features, including:
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the pilot in the cockpit is protected from below and on the sides by a 10 cm-thick composite foam structure.
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the Halo is a protective composite structure at the front of the vehicle to protect the pilot from debris or impacts.
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the roll-hoop structure is located at the centre of the vehicle to protect the pilot if the vehicle ends up upside down.
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the propellers are housed in a ducted structure to ensure the safety of the pilot and mechanics servicing the vehicle.
Main propulsion
Twelve main ducted fans, each with a diameter of 500 mm, provide the main propulsion.
Each electric brushless out-runner motor is powered by Li-Po batteries and drives a four-bladed propeller.
To further increase propeller efficiency, the distance between the propeller tip and the duct is kept to a minimum of 3 mm, allowing for turbulent flow to be kept to a minimum at the blade tip.
The ducted propeller, made from composite materials, offers 20% higher thrust than an open propeller, further increasing the propulsion system’s efficiency.
Batteries
All the electric motors on the vehicle are powered by removable battery packs.
The battery packs provide energy for roughly 15 min.
The battery packs are located on the underside of the vehicle and can be easily removed.
The ArcaBoard 2's batteries can be recharged using standard home power sockets or street stations designed for cars.
A full recharge takes 45 minutes.
Alternatively, additional battery packs can be purchased for the ArcaBoard 2 to enable quick battery changes.
Cockpit avionics
The racer's cockpit is equipped with a large display that provides the pilot with the necessary data during races such as speed, flight height, battery status, throttle level, position in the race, text information from the team, penalties and time separation from the forward vehicle to engage the boost propulsion, etc.
The pilot has two multifunctional levers in the cockpit with four main functions:
- to serve as handles, allowing the pilot to control their body's centre of gravity in the vehicle, and subsequently the vehicle's attitude;
- to engage/disengage and control the main propulsion throttle;
- to engage/disengage the boost propulsion;
- control the fly-by-wire vanes for yaw control.
Telemetry, onboard video, and radio communication
All ArcaBoard 2 vehicles competing in the championship will be fitted with vehicle-to-team telemetry that will only work as an emitter from the vehicle to the pit stand, not vice versa.
Each vehicle will be equipped with mandatory onboard cameras to provide a live view during the race.
All voice radio communications between the team and the pilot will be open and accessible to sporting officials and the media.
Specifications
Length:
4,2 m
Width:
2,9 m
Height (with the roll hoop structure):
0,7 m
Empty weight:
90 kg
Max. pilot weight:
90 kg
Max. take-off weight:
180 kg
Motor:
electric outrunner
Total motor thrust SL:
200 kgf
Hovering height (max):
3 m
Cruise speed:
30 km/h
Maximum speed:
100 km/h
Endurance::
15 min
Ferry range:
15 km
Colors
The commercial ArcaBoard 2 comes in three colours: red, white and black.
Availability, price and reservations
Only fifty (50) ArcaBoard 2s will be produced commercially in 2026, and they will be delivered on a first come, first served basis.
Customers who have made a non-binding reservation will be informed ten (10) days before the firm reservation phase begins. This will give them the opportunity to place a firm reservation with priority.
The sale price is €45,000.
ArcaBoard 2: Commercial vs. Racer
Customers who purchase the ArcaBoard 2 can register as a team to take part in demonstration races in 2026 and 2027, as well as in the first season of the ArcaBoard World Championship in 2028.
While the commercially available ArcaBoard 2 remains a sports vehicle, it is not designed for extreme adventurers and risk takers. Instead, it focuses on providing a smooth, pleasant and enjoyable hovering and riding experience.
The ArcaBoard 2 competing in the ArcaBoard World Championship will incorporate additional features, including a booster propulsion turbine, racing battery options, telemetry, a transponder, a radio and onboard video cameras.
