Hover Bike Project

PROJECT UPDATE | Skunk Works – Olympus Mons Division IV | Mars: 18.65°N, 226.2°E

This project is in early development.

This project was born out a love of WaveRunner 64. The joy in the freedom of movement is something that is endlessly delightful and an awesome component to incorporate into different projects.

Style and Art

We've been focusing on creating a unique visual style for the simulation. Currently, there's a blend of modern aesthetics coupled with a sense of mystery. Navigating through the environments, you might notice hints of a forgotten civilization or landscapes that seem almost otherworldly. It's been a journey figuring out the right balance, and we're really pleased with where it's headed.

Hoverbike Handling

The meat of the project! We wanted the hoverbike to feel as authentic as possible. We've implemented a PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) system to simulate the bike's dynamics. For those unfamiliar, a PID system helps in controlling the hoverbike's movement based on the difference between a desired setpoint and the current position. This allows for smoother, more responsive handling. Early tests have been promising, and there's a tangible difference when navigating challenging terrains or making sharp maneuvers.

Next Steps

This project is focused on developing a robust and modular system for creating various types of hover vehicles (from hover-uni-cycles to hovering cities). We have long-term goals that require some important systems––this is one of them. We have to crunch the inner workings of this system a bit more before we are ready to share. But we are moving quickly towards a demo where we can receive some feedback on the feel of the hover bike.

Images

In the coming weeks, we'll be further fine-tuning the hoverbike's handling, and delving deeper into environment design. Stay tuned for more updates, and as always, thanks for your support and feedback!

Until next time,
Skunk Works ^{Olympus Mons Division IV}

Created: 2023-08-23 | Updated: 2023-08-23