Dubai set to launch hover-taxi by July

Dubai state transport authority officials tested a Chinese prototype autonomous hover-taxi, with intentions of publically introducing it by July 2017. The Ehang 184, able to carry passengers at an altitude of 1,000 feet and speeds of 60 mph, merges two big tech advancements: hovering and self-driving.  

The concept involves passengers programming their destination at the beginning of the ride and the hover-taxi getting them to the end with no driver required. The UAV, created by Chinese manufacturer Ehang, recharges in two hours and has the power to make trips up to 30 minutes.

“Passengers don't need to learn how to fly it; they don't need get to a pilot's license,” EHang co-founder Derrick Xiong said. “They just need to press a button and then it vertically takes off, flies from point A to point B, and lands.”

The Ehang 184 makes use of a fail-safe system that automatically lands the vehicle if it senses that any component is damaged or not properly functioning. It also has a command center that ensures users that everything is safe, similar to an air traffic controller in an airport.

While the vehicle has been in development since 2013, it was recently on display at the World Government Summit 2017 in Dubai. The Ehang 184 was tested in the United Arab Emirates to guarantee that a quarter of the state’s transport abilities are self-driving by 2030.

Powered by eight propellers, the quadcopter has exceptionally accurate sensors and can resist extreme temperatures; UAE is notorious for its scorching summers. Additionally, the vehicle is approximately five feet tall and weighs 440 pounds.

In November 2016, Dubai signed a deal with the United States Hyperloop One to examine the construction of a nearby supersonic transport link to Abu Dhabi.

The Dubai Transport Authority is making every effort to begin operating the Ehang 184 in July 2017, in response to the significant traffic congestion issues. Dubai is home to the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest tower, making it a leading tourist destination in the Gulf with an attraction record of 14.9 million visitors in 2016.

Source: Phys.org and Science Alert