For the first time, a test flight of manned drone taxis has been approved by the US state of Nevada.
According to the BBC, the Nevada Institute for Autonomous Systems. The Chinese manufacturer of the drone, Ihang, has been allowed to conduct a test flight of the drone and ask for help in submitting its results to the Federal Aviation System (FAA).
However, it is not yet clear whether there will be any passengers on board during the test flight.
A sample of the drone was unveiled at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show. Named ‘184’, the 1.2 m long and 200 kg automatic prototype drone has eight propellers.
It is capable of transporting a passenger at a speed of 60 miles per hour for 23 minutes. Passengers will be able to determine their destination with the help of a 12-inch touchscreen in front of their seats. And the drone’s own computer system will choose the route.
It has no override function for passengers. As a result, passengers will not be able to take control of it in case of an emergency. And if a mechanical fault is detected, the drone will land in a nearby empty space.
The drone could be priced between 140,000 euros and 200,000 euros, according to the BBC.
Said Mark Barker, director of business development at the Nevada Institute. I am personally looking forward to that day. When drone taxis will become part of the Nevada transportation system.
At the same time, many are skeptical about how much the drone can appeal to passengers. Of course, many have highlighted the various aspects of its potential.
Douglas McNeil, a senior analyst at consultancy Macquarie, said. The big question here is whether passengers are willing to board a driverless aircraft. Ordinary consumers are accustomed to trusting the views of regulators. And if they declare the drones safe. Passengers may be more interested in it.
Director of the Aerial Robotics Lab at Imperial College London. Mirko Kovac said. Passenger transport drones can have a lot of potentials. In my opinion, if this technology introduces more qualifications, the fear of the society will be overcome.
