Dubai To Introduce Self-Flying EHang Air Taxis in July

Self-Flying Air Taxis from Chinese company EHang would be able to carry one passenger across distances of upto 50 km in Dubai on a single charge.

This summer would be special in Dubai as self-flying Ehang air taxis would make their debut sometime in July.

Operated by Road & Transportation Agency, the fully-electric autonomous aerial vehicle drone can carry one passenger weighing less than 100 kg and a small suitcase.

Chinese company EHang has manufactured the air taxis and the model that would be up in the air would be EHang 184.

EHang 184 has already undergone extensive tests in Dubai in the air. It was showcased at the CES in Las Vegas after 100 successful manned test flights.

EHang 184 will be controlled through 4G mobile Internet and can reach a top speed of 160 km per hour. It can operate for up to 30 minutes on a single battery charge, with a flying range of 50 km.

The fully automated egg-shaped EHang 184 drone has four propeller wings. It can be requested through an app to arrive at an approved pickup location. The passenger then boards it, enters the desired destination on an attached screen device built into the seat.

The auto-piloted aircraft then powers up, takes off and heads to the drop-off location.

The entire flight and functions of the drone will be monitored by people in a “Command and Control Center” on the ground. The person inside the aircraft will also be able to communicate with the command center, if needed.

EHang said it has done major testing on its 184 vehicle in China over the past few years. It has also developed and sells several consumer drone models controlled by remote devices.

Last year, EHang signed an agreement with officials in the western state of Nevada to conduct test flights of the EHang 184. Nevada operates a testing center in cooperation with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, or FAA. The goal is to get FAA approval for the EHang 184 to fly in the United States.

The company has said the drones could have other uses also – like in emergency rescue operations or deliver human organs.

The Prime Minister of the UAE wants 25% of all passenger trips to be made in driverless vehicles by 2030.

Dubai is already home to the world’s longest driverless rail line. It also signed a deal with American businessman Elon Musk to look into building his proposed super-fast Hyperloop system.