Heavy Load ACVs
Several hovercraft manufacturers have also now developed hoverbarges, which are designed to carry heavy freight loads across previously inaccessible terrain. This is particularly useful in areas in which there is little development in terms of roads, and where terrain may make access by road-going vehicles difficult. Examples of this may include the forested regions of Canada, where the hoverbarge may be used to carry out large loads of trees ("ACV Research and Development"). This type of hovercraft may also be particularly useful for military purposes, as often there is a need to access areas which have no roads suitable for carrying large amounts of kit and personnel.
Personal Hovercraft
There have also been recent developments in hovercraft for the consumer market. International Robotics has now developed the first personal hovercraft known as the Alura Airboard. This is designed to travel on land, not on water, and has been developed as a type of adult's leisure craft for one person ("IRI & Techno-Marketing International Technologies"). Although there may only be a limited number of individuals who own one so far it is possible that in the future these will become a popular method of travel.
Future Developments
It is likely that the hovercraft technology will be combined with other technologies in the future to create high-speed transport technologies, as it would allow carriage of passengers over terrain without the need to build rails or road. It...
Although it has recently been replaced for many over-water journeys by catamarans it is likely that the technology will continue to contribute to use in other areas in future and also find new applications such as space exploration (Johnson 550). The main limitation with the technology at the present time is that it uses gasoline as fuel, and it would be more beneficial to the environment if alternative fuel supplies could be developed for the technology.
Works Cited
ACV Research and Development." Links 999. 13 August 2007. 18 February 2008. http://links999.net/hovercraft/hovercraft_development.html.
Bourg, David M. Physics for Game Developers. Cambridge, MA: O'Reilly, 2002.
History of the Hovercraft." Neoteric Hovercraft Inc. 2003. 18 February 2008. http://www.neoterichovercraft.com/general_info/historyof.htm.
IRI & Techno-Marketing International Technologies." International Robotics Inc. 18 February 2008. http://www.internationalrobotics.com/iaapapres_a.html.
Johnson, Keith. Spotlight Science. Cheltenham: Nelson Thornes, 2004.
Sebastian, Anton. A Dictionary of the History of Science. Boca Raton, FL: Informa Health Care, 2001.
