Chinese pilotless air taxi firm eHang trialling heavy-lifting drones

The drones could delivery heavier items for home delivery or fly tourists to rural hotels 
The startup has been granted permission to carry cargo of up to 150kg
EHang

Drone taxi manufacturer EHang plans to trial lifting heavy objects for the first time, which could mean larger items purchased online are suitable for delivery to home in the future.

The startup has secured what it says is the world’s first commercial licence for using the latest model of its battery-powered passenger twin-seaters for logistics.

The Chinese government has granted permission for tests to take place for carrying cargo of 150kg, about the same weight as an adult male panda.

EHang says the approval by the country's Civil Aviation Authority makes them “the world’s first company approved by a national aviation authority to carry out commercial pilot operation for the category of 330-pound-plus air logistics uses”.

The air taxi has an altitude ceiling of 3,000 metres, or 1.86 miles
EHang

The tests will initially transport cargo to hills and islands that are challenging to access by other modes of transport, with the intention of expanding drop zone locations as data is collated and flying experience grows.

It is also preparing to use the unmanned aerial vehicles for use ferrying tourists to hotels in rural China and sightseeing tours.

EHang said their propeller drones can undertake 300-metre vertical climbs and reach speeds of just over 80mph.

The two-passenger drones are likely to cost between £143,000 and £241,000 and have an altitude ceiling of 3,000 metres (1.86 miles).

Passengers punch in GPS co-ordinates for their destination on a touchscreen equipped with Google Maps, although the company plans to add a manual control option.

Test flights have covered about nine miles and the battery time is estimated to be around 20 minutes.

An EHang spokesman said: “With this approval, trial air logistics service using the EHang 216 would be carried out to transport cargo between ground and hilltop and between shore and islands.

“It is also intended to be gradually expanded to other sites in China as it accumulates operational data and experience.”

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