In the Guangzhou City of China, a drone has been making headlines by being able to carry people from one place to another. The electricity-powered EHang 184 is a passenger drone capable of carrying a lone passenger through the skies. This may yet be the solution to the ever-present epidemic that is land vehicle traffic, and could be the future of everyday travel. Imagine a world where you no longer have to worry about being stuck in a traffic jam on your way to work, or not being able to find a cab that can take you places. What was once but a mere fictional idea is far closer to reality than you may think.
The Ehang 184 consists of a single cabin and eight rotors to support a passenger that can weigh up to a hundred kilograms. The drone has been observed in tests to be able to carry them to a 23-minute flight at sea level, with speeds reaching up to 100 kilometers per hour. It can also withstand wind resistance of up to 50 kilometers per hour without any problems. The drone’s design and vision is as simple as a person getting inside the vehicle, and the drone will do the rest afterwards.
While still not realistic to be used by the general public at an everyday scenario, the drone has shown potential in over a thousand tests it has been in. Another issue with the drone is the price, as each of these transport drones can cost up to $380,000. The price alone can make this drone a suitable replacement for the modern car a head-scratcher.
Interests still soar with the idea for these drones, as the city of Dubai back in September of last year have shown interest in these “taxis in the sky”. Dubai’s management foresee these drones as self-flying public transports that can take any city to the future of travel. Dubai has started talks with Ehang for their plans, and test driving has been started already.
Apart from public transport, people are also eyeing this drone as a sort of emergency transport to and from hospitals, rescue transports for missing people in forested areas, or in lighter means, a fun and exciting tourist attraction that can give tours around the cities they are in.
