Chinese drone manufacturer Ehang Inc. on Wednesday unveiled what it calls the world's first drone capable of carrying a human passenger. The China-based company unveiled the Ehang 184 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, CES show.
The electric-powered drone can be fully charged in two hours, carry up to 220 pounds (100kgs) and fly for 23 minutes at sea level, according to Ehang. The cabin fits one person and a small backpack and even has air conditioning and a reading light. With propellers folded up, it's designed to fit in a single parking spot.
Passengers only need to give two commands, "take off" and "land," each controlled by a single click on a Microsoft Surface tablet, the company said. It is designed to fly about 1,000 to 1,650 feet off the ground with a maximum altitude of 11,500 feet and top speed of 63 miles per hour.
Ehang co-founder and Chief Financial Officer Shang Hsiao said the company hopes to sell the device for $200,000 to $300,000 beginning this year but acknowledged it occupies a legal "grey area."
In the event of a problem the company plans a remote control center that would take over the vehicle and ensure it lands safely, he said.
Chief Marketing Officer Derrick Xiong said the vehicle has been flown more than 100 times at low altitudes in a forested area in Guangzhou, including several times with a person inside.
Source: PHYS
The electric-powered drone can be fully charged in two hours, carry up to 220 pounds (100kgs) and fly for 23 minutes at sea level, according to Ehang. The cabin fits one person and a small backpack and even has air conditioning and a reading light. With propellers folded up, it's designed to fit in a single parking spot.
Passengers only need to give two commands, "take off" and "land," each controlled by a single click on a Microsoft Surface tablet, the company said. It is designed to fly about 1,000 to 1,650 feet off the ground with a maximum altitude of 11,500 feet and top speed of 63 miles per hour.
Ehang co-founder and Chief Financial Officer Shang Hsiao said the company hopes to sell the device for $200,000 to $300,000 beginning this year but acknowledged it occupies a legal "grey area."
In the event of a problem the company plans a remote control center that would take over the vehicle and ensure it lands safely, he said.
Chief Marketing Officer Derrick Xiong said the vehicle has been flown more than 100 times at low altitudes in a forested area in Guangzhou, including several times with a person inside.
Source: PHYS
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