Will kites in 2020 be drastically different?

[Osprey1]

Will kites in 2020 be drastically different from today's kites? What are your thoughts? It seems like aerodynamic tweaking has plateaued.



IMO I think kites will largely be the same but might be 30% lighter due to canopy fabric changes. Maybe standardized bars too?

[edt]

yes they will be vastly different. You won't see either foil kites or inflatable kites. Instead you will see single skin kites that set up instantly open the bag unroll the kite, and it instantly flies, no pumping, no bridle. This will be due to a material revolution where they invent a material that not only floats but is as flexible as cloth when you set it up, but when it is in the air, it is as rigid as steel. What is this material called? I dunno some nanotech wizardry. carbon fiber super nano-cloth something like that.

[plummet]

yes they will be vastly different. You won't see either foil kites or inflatable kites. Instead you will see single skin kites that set up instantly open the bag unroll the kite, and it instantly flies, no pumping, no bridle. This will be due to a material revolution where they invent a material that not only floats but is as flexible as cloth when you set it up, but when it is in the air, it is as rigid as steel. What is this material called? I dunno some nanotech wizardry. carbon fiber super nano-cloth something like that.

Much like the batman cape. Put an electrical charge through in and whamo. Rigid wing.

Mind you, imagine someone thumping a rigid wing onto your head?

ps I don't think that's 4 years away! maybe 10?

I was gona say someone will invent a ultra high aspect lei that will kick the foils arses.... the foils will be out and lei's back in for racing!....

[borist]

yes they will be vastly different. You won't see either foil kites or inflatable kites. Instead you will see single skin kites that set up instantly open the bag unroll the kite, and it instantly flies, no pumping, no bridle. This will be due to a material revolution where they invent a material that not only floats but is as flexible as cloth when you set it up, but when it is in the air, it is as rigid as steel. What is this material called? I dunno some nanotech wizardry. carbon fiber super nano-cloth something like that.

Much like the batman cape. Put an electrical charge through in and whamo. Rigid wing.

Unfortunately, the LiIon battery super pack that will power all of this magic stuff will still weigh 20 lbs even in 2020 . ... and bluetooth control system will not be compatible between different brands

[norcom]

Will kites in 2020 be drastically different from today's kites?

Yes, the 2020 color scheme will be THE sickest ever and the kites will be five times as expensive.

[tegirinenashi]

Will kites in 2020 be drastically different from today's kites? What are your thoughts? It seems like aerodynamic tweaking has plateaued.

Let's rephrase the question. Is Naish x2 or Wipika Airblast drastically different from Cabrinha Switchblade or Ozone Edge? Apart from having more curve in the arc and no briddle?

IMO I think kites will largely be the same but might be 30% lighter due to canopy fabric changes. Maybe standardized bars too?

Canopy itself is only part of the weight. It is interesting to know what percentage of weight is compressed air.

[nikalaitzian]

The one who is going to somehow shape an aerodynamical like the airplanes wing shape LE is going to make the greatest discovery...also lighter and stronger materials

[plummet]

Canopy itself is only part of the weight. It is interesting to know what percentage of weight is compressed air.

From memory we have calculated 200 normal liters of air for you average sized kite.
Air being about 1.2kg per m3 or 1000 liters. approx 240 grams.

The one who is going to somehow shape an aerodynamical like the airplanes wing shape LE is going to make the greatest discovery...also lighter and stronger materials

I'm waiting for the bird wing kite. one that splays out and folds up itself for smaller or larger size.... Essential one kite for 10-50 knots!

[POACHER]

Will kites in 2020 be drastically different from today's kites?

Yes, the 2020 color scheme will be THE sickest ever and the kites will be five times as expensive.

Nailed it.

[Starsky]

Not likely.