Taxidrones in Dubai

Drone EHang 184. Photo © EHang.

The Roads and Transport Authority of the City of Dubai has just announced a plan to introduce an autonomous flying taxi service by next July. The EHang 184, an electric drone built in China, will carry passengers between helipads. Each drone weighs 240kg and can carry up to 100kg, i.e. one person plus one piece of luggage, at a cruising speed of 60 to 100km/h, over about 50km. In Dubai, taxidrones will be operated and controlled remotely from a “command centre”. The service would provide flights over a 40 to 50-km radius. No further details are available for the time being.

⇨ Mashable, “Dubai might get autonomous flying taxis as early as this summer.”

⇨ EHang, “EHang Partners with Dubai RTA to Boost Smart Transport.”