EHang Air Taxi: First Commercial Flights Without Traffic Jams
The Chinese company EHang, the first in the world to receive commercial approval for the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for passenger transportation, has announced plans to launch an air taxi service. Within three years, the company intends to offer tourist transportation from major airports. The project's main advantage is its low cost, equivalent to just 2,500 rubles (about $30) per flight.
According to EHang's CFO, the $30 cost is comparable to that of a premium ground taxi, but significantly cheaper than traditional helicopter transfers.
Key features of the service:
• Speed: EHang UAVs cover a distance of 15 kilometers in just 12 minutes, completely bypassing city traffic jams and traffic lights.
• Vehicle: The compact EH216-S model will be used for transportation.
• Capacity: The vehicle is limited to two passenger seats.
• Range: The maximum flight range is 35 kilometers.
Due to its limited range (35 km) and capacity (two passengers), the EH216-S aircraft will only be effective in cities where airports are relatively close to business and tourist centers. They cannot be used to transport large groups of tourists.
ORIENT
