Amphibious Truck Boat from Gibbs
You might have watched with awe high tech cars converting to speed boats in James Bond movies. But these things are indeed possible today in real life now! Gibbs Technologies of UK has come up with an awesome mind boggling creation. They have come up with an amazing Phibian Amphitruck which is much like the Q Boat or hovercrafts from one of the Bond movies. This 007 fantasy turned true can drive straight into the river and turn to an accelerating speedboat in a matter of seconds. Just by a push of a single button, Phibian amphitruck can ride the waves. The Phibian amphitruck can transform from the dry land to marine mode in just 5 seconds. The truck can attain 30 mph in aquatic mode. On land, the Phibian amphitruck can easily attain highway speeds. Here are more details of this amazing truck.
Just like you can see in Bond films, the Phibian Amphitruck’s wheels fold inwards when it is in water. It is powered by 500 hp twin turbo diesel engine having twin jets. The engine is made mainly of carbon fiber. The craft can carry around 15 people or 1500 kilograms. Roughly 3300 pounds of equipment can be carried. The Phibian even has a chemical toilet for people who get seasick. The Phibian is a multi-mission, multi-mode, high speed amphibian which provides off-road capability on land. It is meant for rescue and patrol operations.
Humidinga is a smaller version of Phibian. Humidinga is run by a 350 hp, V8 gasoline engine. The land and water speeds offered by Humidinga are identical to those offered by Phibian. It may carry 5 to 7 people or upto 750 kg based on its configuration. It is used for rapid response role or light duty patrol.
Phibian and Humidinga depict Gibbs’ High Speed Amphibian (HSA) technology. It incorporates several technological breakthroughs in water propulsion, suspension and wheel retraction design. On the road, the retracting suspension system allows remarkable ride and handling. In water, wheels retract in seconds reducing hull drag in marine use. The water jet propulsion system provides greater levels of thrust required to reach planing speeds in just seconds. It allows safe operation even in shallow water.
The recent natural disasters have necessitated more vehicles like the Phibian and Humidinga. The devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans as well as tsunamis and earthquakes in Japan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and different parts of Asia are a few sad reminders of the recent calamities.
Other amphibians developed by Gibbs
Phibian and Humidinga are two of the latest amphibian vehicles developed by Gibbs. Apart from this, Gibbs has developed many amphibian vehicles. The first vehicle to feature Gibbs’ HSA technology was Aquada. Quadski is the first personal off highway amphibian to showcase Gibbs’ HSA technology.
More about Gibbs
Gibbs Amphibians presently is the planet’s top developer of High Speed Amphibian (HSA) technology platforms for commercial, consumer, military and humanitarian use. It was started by New Zealand businessman Alan Gibbs in 1996. Neil Jenkins joined Gibbs in 1999 as a partner. Gibbs Amphibians has always guided the world in developing and researching about HSA technology. Gibbs has patented over 100 creations relating to this technology.