Many companies explore the concept of ‘flying cars’, striving to develop safe autonomous taxis for urban transport. Dubai plans to launch passenger drones by July 2017, pioneering this innovative transportation solution.
Where Airbus, Uber and other companies are still in talks of creating vehicles for testing and start with transporting cargo using such flying taxis or drones, Matt al-Tayer, head of Dubai’s Roads and Transportation Department announced the beginning of passenger service using flying taxi. They announced this in a World Government Summit. They mentioned that it would be an advanced drone, which is Ehang 184 – an autonomous quad-opener electric drone – it will fly the passengers along pre-determined routes and will be monitored and controlled remotely from a centralized command center. The Chinese model, Ehang 184, has already taken a test flight in skies of Dubai.
How it works?
Mr. Al Tayer quoted that the introduction of AAV will be a big step towards innovative and smart mobility solutions. It will contribute in reducing city traffic in a major way. Etisalat is a prime network provider, who provided 4G data network. The control center at ground used this network to communicate with the AAV. It also provided the support for continued communication between control center and AAV using LTE and M2M technologies.
Watch the video released by Roads and Transport Authority of Dubai:
What is EHANG 184?
Chinese entrepreneurs developed EHANG 184, an Autonomous Aerial Vehicle (AAV). The company claims it to be the safest, smartest, eco-friendly, and low-altitude AAV, serving as an aerial transportation solution for commuting between medium and short distances. Some of the interesting and important features of EHANG 184 are as follows:
Safety: EHANG 184 has exceptional safety management system, in which flight can execute the normal operation plan, even if one set of power system are not operating well. It runs on electricity and comprises 100% green technology.
Automation: EHANG AAV operates fully automated with smart automation. It presets and defines take-off and landing points, following an inverted U-shaped pathway during flight. The landing camera automatically positions accurately on the landing targets to manage the landing.
Fail Safe system: EHANG AAV has been built with Ehang fail-safe system which is embedded in it. In case of any defect or malfunctioning of any mechanisms or elements, the AAV will ensure the safety by landing immediately in the nearest possible area.
Low Altitude Command Centre: The AAV will always be connected with the low-altitude command center, which why it can be available to fly for 24*7. If weather conditions are extreme, the command center will not enable AAV to fly to ensure safety.
Unique application system: 184 AAV can be operated using a simple but unique application system, which is simple as well as advanced such that it takes only a single click to take-off and land.
Ehang 184 AAV
It has set the world record for being world’s first passenger drone that can transport a single human being from place X to place Y at an altitude of more than 11000 feet. Claims suggest that passengers will be able to select a preset destination, likely using a touch screen for a mobile app. AAV can travel up to 30 minutes with the maximum speed of about 100kph (60mph). Every command from passenger will go through an app to the control center and all commands will go to AAV from the control center based on the ground. The first passenger drone will fly in Dubai sky under the guidelines of the RTA with automated controls for flying and speed of the flight.
How will flying taxis be booked in Dubai?
Experts predict passengers will book Dubai flying taxi services via the mobile app, the most convenient method. The application may have features similar to all other booking applications. Programmers automate the drone algorithm, enabling passengers to select travel points via the booking app’s preset route map. This invention is definitely going to be helpful for managing the traffic congestion in the city.
Drone industry and Drone applications
Drone industry has brought various opportunities for drone operators and businesses. App developers must transform drone technology into tools beneficial for businesses or human safety. Drone apps require user-friendly interfaces, enabling operators to manage rotors, plan routes, maintain flight, and collect sensor data seamlessly. Comparing the development of applications for drones to developing mobile applications shows similarities. Drone apps need UI developed for controllers. Some of the UIs can even run on mobile devices.
Krify has started to scratch the area of drones and app development. There are a lot of exciting and new challenges for developers. Krify is a multinational software development company with core competency in mobile app development, web design and development and digital marketing. Contact us to get the free quote for your project.
