Browning said: “We’ve already had a few comparisons to Tony Stark, but this is real-world aeronautical innovation. We are serious about building a world-changing technology business.
“We stand at the very beginning of what human propulsion systems will do. It’s at the same point as the mobile phone was in the early to mid-80s or the internet of the early 90s – and I have to say, it’s phenomenally exciting.”
By combining four miniaturised arm-mounted gas turbine engines and two hip-mounted versions the Daedalus suit provides enough lift to enable a person to hover for long periods of time.
The suit is Wi-Fi enabled and includes a Heads-Up Display, made from Sony SmartEyeglass, that can highlight key safety and performance indicators, including fuel levels and engine operation. It also allows live data streaming from the suit for both ground monitoring and the HUD system.
The Daedalus took 12 months to build and required relentless testing, phased flights and system evolution prior to the technology patent being filed, however, the start-up has already secured hundreds of thousands of pounds of investment.
Browning added: “This is a momentous point in aviation history. Daedalus is simply the beginning of a core technology that has endless potential in aviation, commercial and entertainment applications.”