Guangzhou to pilot low-altitude aviation transportation

Guangzhou-based major Chinese drone manufacturer Ehang plans to open four routes for low-altitude aviation transportation in the city this year.

It announced it has agreed upon a strategic cooperation with the local government for a low-altitude aviation transportation network for autonomous aerial vehicles(AAVs), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) a command-and-control center, and UAV logistics.

An Ehang passenger AAV in test flight[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Having been picked by the Civil Aviation Administration of China as the country's first company for passenger AAV development, Ehang selected Guangzhou as its pilot city for the establishment of a low-altitude aviation transportation network.

It will build the city into China's first smart city of urban air mobility and expand Guangzhou's global presence in the industry.

On Feb 6, 2018, the company unveiled footage showing the test flight of its Ehang 184 single-passenger drone equipped with eight propellers and four arms.

The vehicle is designed to carry a passenger under 100 kg, 2.2 meters and above five years old.

The vehicle is equipped with devices to ensure its passenger's safety and can fly independently. It is passenger-friendly in operation. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The vehicle takes about three minutes to travel to a destination reachable by a 30-minute drive. The cost is equivalent to taxi fare.[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

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