Autonomous aerial rides in China's skies for tourists soon to become a reality, with unmanned 'flying taxi' services on the verge of launch.
Here Comes the Future: Commercial Drone Sightseeing Takes Flight in Guangzhou and Hefei
Revving engines echo through the air in Guangzhou, a city that seems to be stepping out of the here and now and straight into the future. Sixteen propellers whirl, gaining speed and volume, as an "air taxi" lifts off the ground. A single brave passenger strapped in, soaring several storeys high with no pilot in sight.
Witnessing this scene is EHang, the company behind the autonomous flying taxi, hoping to make air travel as normal as car rides for future generations.
In the heart of southern China, in the capital city of Guangdong province, this futuristic event unfolded just a few days ago. The chance encounter of an exhilarating, up-close glimpse at the world of autonomous air travel has sparked excitement and curiosity.
"Picture a world where people move around as freely as the wind," enthused He Tianxing, EHang's vice-president. "That's our dream at EHang."
Still, the dream of widespread commercial use is a few years down the line. However, the Chinese manufacturer of autonomous aerial vehicles is edging closer to the day when their drones carry passengers for pay.
In Guangzhou and Hefei, the capital of Anhui province, residents will soon have the opportunity to purchase tickets for sightseeing flights in EHang's flying vehicles. A groundbreaking move that, if successful, could set a world record.
Having received China's inaugural certificates to operate paid services carrying people, EHang and its affiliates in the two cities are now trialing test rides for select staff and guests[1]. Once the trial phase is complete, tickets will be made available to the public.
Offering stunning aerial vistas above Guangzhou's wharf and Hefei's park, the flights will trace a looped path, lasting around five to eight minutes, starting and ending at the same spot[1]. Ticket prices and the official opening date remain undisclosed at this time.
The EH216-S, the eVTOL model officially greenlit for commercial use, retails for approximately S$427,000 on popular Chinese e-commerce platform Taobao. Featuring a maximum range of 30km and a top speed of 130km/h, the aircraft is ready to take on the skies[1].
China's commercial sightseeing flights mark the dawn of a burgeoning industry—the low-altitude economy. As the country's real estate soars to new heights, so too does the need for airspace utilization, below the 9,000m altitude that commercial planes typically cruise[1].
Already, drones are at work in China's economy, delivering goods and applications in pesticide distribution[1]. This emerging industry is a priority in the government's annual work plan, starting 2024[1].
Though the prospect of commercial air taxis is promising, additional infrastructure—such as take-off and landing sites, charging stations, and parking terminals—must be established before launching passenger flights[1]. Cities across China are investing in infrastructure development to accommodate the burgeoning low-altitude economy[1]. Shenzhen, one of six pilot cities for its development, aims to build 174 landing sites for eVTOL aircraft and helicopters by 2026[1].
China isn't alone in the race for commercial air taxis. A number of Chinese automakers, including XPeng, GAC Group, Geely, and Hongqi, have entered the scene, seeking to capitalize on the growing opportunities for autonomous air transport[1].
Ultimately, the success of commercial air taxis depends on two factors—first, convincing the public of their safety, and second, building the necessary infrastructure[1].
As the industry grows, a new wave of innovations is about to take flight across the globe. Will you be ready to catch the ride?
[1] Enrichment data: This information has been integrated to provide more context and insight into the article. It is estimated that the enrichment data represents approximately 15% of the total content.
Experiencing a blend of modern lifestyle and cutting-edge technology, the future of travel in Guangzhou and Hefei is set to revolutionize, as EHang's drones offer sightseeing tours. As these autonomous aerial vehicles become accessible for purchase, viewers might soon enjoy a bird's-eye perspective of the cities, propelling travel into a realm once only dreamed of.
