As we know, several young companies and The aviation industry is intensively working on unmanned drones for passenger transportation of people. It is assumed that such services will be widely demanded in cities with congested ground transport flows. Among the newcomers, the Chinese company Ehang stands out, the development of which could form the basis of the world's first unmanned regular passenger routes on drones.
The head of the company told the Internet resource that Ehang is working with the Guangzhou provincial government and several major cities in the province on three to four unmanned passenger routes. Commercial flights may start either before the end of this year or next year. If the company delivers on its promise, China will be the first country to deploy self-driving taxis on a permanent basis.
Ehang drone in 2016 version () was a 200-kg machine with a flight range of up to 16 km at an altitude of no more than 3,5 km at speeds up to 100 km / h. One person can be on board. Instead of a steering wheel and levers - a tablet with the ability to select a route. The system is completely autonomous without passenger access to the controls, but provides for emergency connection to the control of a remote operator.
Ehang claims that the passenger drone has completed more than 2000 test flights in and out of China in various weather conditions. The machine proved to be completely safe to operate. However, for the commercial use of a passenger drone, infrastructure with take-off and landing sites has yet to be created, as well as changes to the laws and regulations for regulating air traffic in China. Ehang is confident that all problems will be resolved within the next year. Behind this confidence is Ehang's official support from the Civil Aviation Administration of the People's Republic of China (China Civil Aviation Administration). Can you dream of more?
Source: 3dnews.ru