Imagine flying over the city in a pilotless, electric-powered aircraft that can take you from point A to point B in minutes without a pilot onboard. Sounds like science fiction, right? Well, not anymore. Ehang’s EH216-S air taxis are electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft that can carry up to two passengers or 600 pounds of cargo. They are powered by 16 electric rotors and can fly at speeds of up to 80 mph and distances of up to 18 miles.
The CAAC evaluated Ehang’s air taxis for over 500 parameters, such as structural strength, software simulation, flight performance and electromagnetic compatibility. The process took more than 1,000 days and involved extensive laboratory, ground and flight tests. Beyond just transporting people, these aircraft can be used for delivering goods, such as packages, medical supplies or food.
One big hurdle is working to gain social acceptance and trust from the public. The manufacturer needs to educate and inform us about the benefits and risks of UAM.The EHang 184 AAV that can autonomously fly a human passenger, programmed with an app, is displayed at the CES 2016 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada on Jan. 7, 2016.It also needs to address the potential issues and concerns of noise, privacy and environmental impact.