Passenger Drones Are Coming to Dubai

Dubai officials hope that by early summer, manned drone flights will become a common occurrence in the city. The United Arab Emirates aims to make Dubai one of the first cities of the 'future world.' The use of the EHang 184 drone, which is made in China and has conducted a test flight around the Burj Al Arab, is one of these initiatives. According to CBS News, the director of Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority states that this drone is not a prototype and they have tested it in Dubai's skies. However, the fundamental question is whether these drones, which have an egg-like shape, will truly replace taxis and transportation in a bustling city like Dubai. The response from Dubai's transport officials is affirmative. These drones can carry passengers weighing approximately 110 kilograms along with a small suitcase. The single-passenger seats in this drone resemble racing car seats. When a passenger boards, they simply need to enter their address on a digital screen similar to an iPad. After that, the flight begins automatically. This battery-operated drone (with a half-hour battery life per charge) can fly a distance of fifty kilometers. Its speed can reach 160 kilometers per hour, but officials say the permitted speed for flying in Dubai's airspace will be 100 kilometers. The EHang 184 is connected to 4G internet, and its flights are controlled by a team of specialists in a control room on the ground. The UAE has long been working to integrate modern technologies into the daily lives of its residents. Dubai's ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, announced last year that by 2030, twenty-five percent of intra-city travel for Dubai residents will be conducted using driverless vehicles. Currently, driverless vehicles and box-like EZ10s, made by the French company EasyMile, are operating around the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. In this context, Dubai officials have also entered negotiations with Hyperloop, based in Los Angeles, to explore the feasibility of constructing a tunnel for high-speed train travel between Abu Dhabi and Dubai.