Would you fly in one? It’s like having a mini helicopter … I wonder if we need a helicopter driver’s license?
A drone that can carry people will begin “regular operations” in Dubai from July, the head of the city’s Roads and Transportation Agency has announced at the World Government Summit. The Chinese model eHang 184 has already had test flights, said Matt al-Tayer.
The drone can carry one passenger weighing up to 100 kg (220 pounds) and has a 30 minute flight time. The passenger uses a touch screen to select a destination. There are no other controls inside the craft.
It is “auto-piloted” by a command centre, according to a video released by the government agency. It has reported speeds of up to 100 miles per hour (160 kilometres per hour) and can fly 31 miles (50km) on a single battery charge.
“This is not only a model,” Mr al-Tayer, according to a report by the Associated Press. “We have actually experimented with this vehicle flying in Dubai’s skies.”
The device was also approved for testing in Nevada in June 2016.
Source: BBC
