DUBAI – A drone that can carry people will begin regular operations in Dubai from July, the head of the city’s Roads and Transportation Agency has announced.
The Chinese model eHang-184 drones has reported speeds of up to 100 miles per hour (160 kilometres per hour) and can fly 31 miles (50km) on a single battery charge,” Matt al-Tayer said at the World Government Summit on Monday.
“I am glad to inform you that hopefully we will be able to have these drones available, starting July 2017,” he added at the World Government Summit, a gathering of tech and government leaders at Dubai.
The self-driving hover-taxi can carry one passenger weighing up to 100 kg (220 pounds) and has a 30 minute flight time.
The passenger uses a touch screen to select a destination. There are no other controls inside the craft.
It is “auto-piloted” by a command centre, according to a video released by the government agency.
Mr al-Tayer, according to media reports, said that they have actually experimented with this vehicle flying in Dubai’s skies. The device was also approved for testing in Nevada in June 2016.
