Taxi Drones To Be Tested In Nevada
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NEVADA (CBSMiami) -- Are you bold enough to get into a taxi without a driver? What if that taxi flew?
Chinese drone manufacturer EHang is partnering with the state of Nevada to test its new single-seat, autonomous-flight drone designed to carry individual passengers on short trips across town.
The 18-foot-long, 440 lb. drone has four arms, eight propellers and can fly up to 63 mph. It can go about 20 miles, for roughly a 23-minute flight, and can carry one person who doesn't need to pilot the drone.
Passengers simply set their destination using an onboard tablet and only a take off/land button needs to be pushed to travel.
#Ehang184 will test-fly in Nevada! https://t.co/5UNM6Mjex2
Know more at: https://t.co/SuvxyRzVSk— EHANG (@ehang) June 9, 2016
"EHang's selection of Nevada to test its people-carrying drone marks a thrilling addition to the innovative companies testing throughout our state to advance the commercial drone industry. I personally look forward to the day when drone taxis are part of Nevada's transportation system," said Tom Wilczek, GOED's Aerospace and Defense Industry Specialist, in a statement released by EHang.
The drone also takes off and lands in a vertical fashion, eliminating the need for a runway.
In January, the company unveiled its EHang 184 model at CES 2016 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the world's largest consumer tech trade show.
Flight testing, training, and development will be held at Nevada's FAA UAS Test Site.
