Inclined Labs makes it happen– humans can fly!
The patent held by the birds since eternity has been released. Now another mammal is testing its wings. Thanks to innovative technology, a wind tunnel and the creative founders behind Inclined Labs our feathered friends are challenged in the sky. Now it's humans' turn to fly!
A couple of years ago, when Anton Westman, PhD in aerospace medicine at Karolinska institute, determined that it was theoretically possible to fly in a leaning wind tunnel, the idea behind Inclined Labs was born. Childhood friends Peter Georén, PhD in technology at KTH and Johan Strömberg leaped at the idea.
– It is a thrilling experience to disprove commonly held opinions of what is achievable.We wear the same kind of winged suits used by those that jump out of aeroplanes or off cliffs, says Anton Westman.
Inclined Labs has developed technology where you get the same flight experience as when flying outdoors, but indoors in a leaning wind tunnel. Flying indoors reduces all the risks that are associated with outdoor flying. The team wanted to ensure that the dream was achievable and contacted professor Krogstad at NTNU in Trondheim, who blessed the theory behind the project. The wing suit designer Robert Pecnik also believed in the idea, but to be sure the technology needed testing.
– We rented the Flygtekniska Försöksanstaltens (FFA) old wind tunnel in Bromma and after a few months of experimenting Peter Georén became the first person to fly in a winged suit in a leaning wind tunnel, says Westman.
Soon thereafter it was Westman's turn to fly unfettered by a safety line which indicated what they had all hoped for. The technology was not just working on paper, it held up in practice too. The technology was refined through hundreds of tests and a security system was developed to allow almost anyone to fly in the wind tunnel without risk of hitting the roof, walls or floor.
Opens to the public
The innovations are patented and now the facility is being renovated – Indoor Wingsuit Flying - and is expected to open to the public during 2017. And the founders are hoping the concept will spread across the world.
– We believe that this is the next big thing for the experience economy, but maybe even more so for air sports, concludes Anton Westman.
Click here to find out how you can fly with Indoor Wingsuit Flying.
Malin Luuke
luuke@kth.se
During 2015/2016, Inclined Labs have had support from KTH Innovation and business coach Daniel Carlsson. This support has included verification of business concept, funding for market analysis, patenting and investment contacts. KTH Holding AB has invested in the company. Do you have an idea that you would like to develop together with KTH Innovation? Go ahead and contact us at innovation@kth.se today!