Companies
Dubai to use Chinese-made passenger drone
The futuristic cityscape of Dubai soon is expected to see Chinese drones capable of carrying people. The Burj Al Arab (left) is seen in this 2012 photo. Amodel of the Ehang 184 drone (inset), designed to carry a passenger, is displayed at the World Government Summit 2017 in Dubai’s Madinat Jumeirah on February 13. REUTERS AND AFP PHOTOS
Drones are no longer just for carrying cameras or missiles.
Chinese pilotless craft capable of carrying a passenger are expected to be put into use as early as this summer in Dubai, the largest city in the United Arab Emirates, according to Guangzhou-based drone manufacturer Ehang Inc.
The company has announced a partnership with Dubai’s government to use its Ehang 184 passenger-carrying drone in the city’s smart transportation system.
Dubai’s Roads and Transportation Authority said the Chinese passenger drone will begin “regular operations” around the futuristic city in July, according to a Xinhua report. Dubai officials said they have made their first test flight of the drone.
The details on how the drone may be used were not released because the agreement between Ehang and the Dubai government was confidential. However, the company says it expects eventual large-scale commercial applications of the drone.
The Ehang 184, the first drone of its kind in China, is undergoing flight tests, with the expectation of its use in such areas as urban transportation, tourism, logistics, emergency medical treatment and disaster relief, the company said.
“The passenger-carrying drone, which is equipped with very advanced technology, is a new area and will boost technological innovation and development for the whole industry,” said Pan Xuefei, a senior analyst at the IDC market research firm.
But because of the high safety and reliability standards that must be met, the passenger drone will still be subject to strict trials before large-scale commercial operations can start, Pan said.
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