Ehang may offer commercial flights with autonomous air cabs in China
In the future, Ehang aircraft may fly autonomously with customers on board in two Chinese cities. For now, however, only sightseeing flights are permitted.
Air cab EH216-S from Ehang
(Image: Ehang)
The Chinese company Ehang has received approval from the local authorities for the commercial use of its air cabs. In the future, these will be allowed to take off in two cities in China without a pilot on board.
The permit applies to Guangzhou (Canton) in the province of Guangdong in the south-east of the country and to Hefei in the eastern Chinese province of Anhui. This marks the “official beginning of the era of manned flights at low altitudes” in China, Ehang announced.
Customers in Guangzhou and Hefei can book the aircraft for tourist sightseeing flights, city tours from the air or commercial flight services. Tickets will go on sale shortly.
No cab flights for now
However, there are restrictions: For example, flights may only take place at low altitude. In addition, the flight must end at the place where it began. Cab flights are therefore ruled out – for now at least. Ehang has already announced that further services will be added gradually. This will also include an urban shuttle service.
The aircraft used is the EH216-S eVTOL, an electrically powered multicopter that takes off and lands vertically (eVTOL stands for electric vertical take-off and landing). It is around 5.7 meters tall and offers space for two people. The maximum take-off weight is 620 kilograms.
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The aircraft is powered by 16 electric propellers, each with its motor, which are mounted on eight booms. The range on one battery charge is 35 kilometers, the flight time 21 minutes. It takes around two hours to recharge the batteries.
The permit is only valid for flights at low altitudes. However, the copter can climb up to an altitude of 3000 meters. The maximum flight speed is 130 km/h. However, the EH216-S usually flies at 100 km/h.
(wpl)
