12 Tech Inventions From Star Wars That Already Exist Today

6. Jetpacks

Being one of the staples of recurrent sci-fi technology (along with the likes of AI, flying cars and hoverboards) it's little wonder that engineers have been working on jetpack technology for decades. There have been numerous devices crafted since the 1960s that have propelled people through the air with varying levels of success. Technology reminiscent of jetpacks has been used in space for a number of years, allowing astronauts to leave the safety of their shuttles and float around above the earth. They do have weightlessness and the vacuum of space on their side though, so we're totally not going to count that. However, just after Boba Fett flew into the mouth of the Sarlaac in 1983, the real world research really started to take off (pun definitely intended). Interestingly, the consensus among assorted military groups seems to be that a jetpack is neither reliable nor efficient enough when compared to other available technologies, and so most research into wearable rockets actually comes from the extreme sports sector. As a result, engineering companies have created all kinds of jetpack devices to cater to everyone's needs. Most people have seen the hydro jetpacks that can be used in lakes and oceans. Simply stick the contraption on your back and let it rip. Powerful jets suck up water and then fire it downwards with astounding momentum. Newton's laws do the rest, forcing you away from the water's surface and up into the air. The best bit is that if you have a high speed crash, you're not going to die a horrible death provided you can swim. Then there's the VegaV3 wingsuit style jetpack which allows you to jump out of a plane and descend like Buzz Lightyear in the rocket scene of Toy Story. No chance of a vertical take-off though. So, for those naysayers who think these don't count either, it's official; 100% bona fide jetpacks do actually exist. The JB-9 from JetPack Aviation is everything we've ever dreamed of. All you have to do is pop it on your back, fire it up and soar into the air. You'd probably still want to fly it over a lake in case it conked out on you but there's no need to suck up half an ocean to stay in the air. Sure, it would be even better if it was slightly more compact and could spit flames out of the back but there's no arguing that it isn't the real deal.