Riyadh - Mubasher: Chinese startup EHang Inc. aims at introducing its flying cars to the Middle East next year.
The company is targeting both Dubai and Saudi Arabia as potential markets, Bloomberg recently reported.
EHang has developed a one-passenger drone and is now developing a larger two-seat model that is currently being tested.
The four battery-powered quad copter E-184 drone has a speed of up to 100 kilometers per hour and a flight time of up to 25 minutes on a single charge.
The Chinese manufacturer believes their drone is the safest, smartest and eco-friendly low-altitude autonomous aerial vehicle.
The E-184 is made with 100% green technology and is designed to land immediately at the closest possible location in case of malfunction.
In the fully-automated drones, customers will be able to select a pre-programmed flight path to reach their destination.
EHang’s CEO Hu Huazhi says the company will begin operation of the taxi drones in Dubai in 2018, as long as they get the needed approvals from Emirati regulators.
The plan is to develop a network of taxi drones around the world, by signing deals in Saudi Arabia, Singapore and several European cites next year, the CEO added.
In February, EHang announced its partnership with the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) with the shared aim of developing the world’s most intelligent transport system.
