China approves world’s first passenger-carrying flying taxi
Air taxi
Guangzhou-based company named Ehang has received the world's first airworthiness "type certificate" for its EH216-S AAV, a fully autonomous drone designed to carry two passengers.
Ehang, a US-listed company, has declareditself the first to hold this certificate, allowing it to operate autonomous electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for passenger transport in China, reported CNBC.
CEO Huazhi Hu in aninterview with CNBC saidthat this achievement will pave the way for similar certificates in the United States, Europe, and Southeast Asia, streamlining Ehang's global ambitions.
A changing regulatory landscape
While the United States' Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently introduced a plan to accommodate autonomous flying vehicles, it still mandates onboard pilots.
Meanwhile, California-based Joby Aviation, a prominent industry player, has expanded its flight test programme but has yet to incorporate passengers. China is taking a proactive approach to regulating unmanned aircraft flight, with new rules set to take effect on January 1, 2024.
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Ehang is actively evaluating the launch of its inaugural air taxi passenger service within a Chinese city, although specific details and dates remain undisclosed.
Ehang's joint venture with Xiyu Tourism, marked by the delivery of five EH216-S units, aims to foster low-altitude tourism and deploy at least 120 Ehang vehicles over the next five years. Additionally, the company has secured over 1,200 overseas pre-orders, including commitments from entities such as Japan AirX, Malaysian Aerotree, and Indonesia's Prestige.
Hu told CNBCthat within approximately five years, air taxis will become a common sight in many cities across the globe. Ehang's approach is to roll out deliveries gradually, acknowledging the early stage of development within the industry.
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Ehang's certification coincides with Chinese governments permitting fully autonomous robotaxis to operate on public streets, often charging fares to the public.
Notably, the fundamental distinction between self-driving taxis and self-piloting drones is that drone flights occur between fixed points in the air, as explained by Ehang's CEO, Hu.
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