Chinese startup CoolFly has unveiled an unusual aircraft called the Urban, a single-seat electric drone that can be flown while standing up.
Its developers describe it as an «air skateboard,» claiming that anyone can learn to fly it in about 10 minutes, according to the Global Times.
The Urban looks nothing like a conventional aircraft. It has no wings or cockpit. Instead, it features a circular platform approximately 3.5 meters in diameter, with four fans covered by protective grilles to keep the pilot safe while standing in the center.
The aircraft is designed for people up to 1.9 meters tall and weighing no more than 90 kilograms. To fly the machine, the pilot stands on the platform and presses the takeoff button, then uses a control stick to steer it in any direction.
According to the company, the Urban, which starts at $13,800, can reach speeds of up to 70 kilometers per hour and remain airborne for approximately 11 minutes.
One of the drone’s key features is its control system. Because the pilot’s center of gravity shifts as they move their body, sensors track these changes and automatically adjust the thrust of the fans.
CoolFly says the system works similarly to a hoverboard, allowing pilots to operate the drone without extensive training. According to the company, becoming familiar with the aircraft’s basic movements is enough to get started.
The developers have also paid close attention to safety. The Urban features a backup control system, a parachute, airbags and protective grilles around the fans. Lidar — a technology that uses light pulses to measure distances — and cameras help the aircraft detect obstacles such as trees and power lines.
@coolflyaircraft8 Try the new mobility into the city. #CoolFly #eVTOL #innovation #aircraft #personal ♬ 原創音樂 – CoolFly
The company has already tested the Urban in extreme conditions. In February 2026, two of the aircraft carried performers into the air during events in Harbin, with flights taking place in temperatures of around minus 30 degrees Celsius and heavy snowfall.
CoolFly is currently negotiating dealership agreements and working with tourist attractions and flight camps in China. The company also plans to sell the Urban internationally as a personal flying device.
