Authorities in China have issued the first permits for autonomous passenger drones, making them enter the "flying taxi" era.
This step marks the country’s push for pilotless air travel, revolutionising short-distance urban transportation.
China's "flying taxi" era
As reported by the South China Morning Post, the Civil Aviation Administration of China granted air operator certificates to EHang Holdings and Hefei Hey Airlines on Saturday, allowing both firms to conduct unmanned passenger flights.
In Beijing, the low-altitude economy, including passenger drones, blimps, and flying cars, is getting promoted.
According to the report, the Chinese government is considering this sector crucial for economic expansion, alongside advancements in biomanufacturing, quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and 6G networks.
"China has officially entered the era of 'flying taxis". 2 Chinese companies have obtained the commercial operation certificate for autonomous passenger drones from CAAC. China is at the forefront of the world's 4th Industrial Revolution, "Li Zexin, a Chinese journalist with XH News, wrote on Twitter.
With this, China would unlock its economic potential of low-altitude airspace services, valued at $207 billion by 2025.
As reported, autonomous aviation leader EHang is the world’s first company to receive a production certificate for manufacturing electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles in China.
Its electric EH216-S model, a two-seater drone with 16 propellers, is designed for air taxi services, airport transfers, and sightseeing tours.
With a cruise speed of 100 km/h and a maximum altitude of 3,000 metres, it is set to revolutionise urban transport.
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