Flying Drone Taxi Can Be A Reality Soon; EHang 184 Gets Testing Approval In Nevada

Soon, people will see human carrying drones flying in the sky as the state of Nevada has given approval for test flights.

Developed by Chinese company EHang, the pilotless octocopter, EHang 184, is capable of carrying one passenger and flying for 23 minutes at sea level or up to 63 miles an hour for 10 minutes a higher altitudes. It would need a two to four hour recharge between flights.

The autonomous drone taxi made its first appearance in Nevada at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show in January in Las Vegas. It has been named so because it can carry one passenger and has eight propellers and four arms.

The single-passenger electric drone has been designed as a transportation medium for people traveling short-to-medium distances. The passengers boarding the flying drone needs to enter their destination on a 12-inch touchscreen and press the take-off button, the drone will handle the rest.

The maker has signed an agreement with the Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED) and the Nevada Institute for Autonomous Systems (NIAS) to put the drone through testing and regulatory approval. The testing will take place at Nevada's FAA-approved test site, one of six such drone-testing locations across the US, sometime later this year.

"The State of Nevada, through NIAS, will help guide EHang through the FAA regulatory process with the ultimate goal of achieving safe flight," said Tom Wilczek, GOED's Aerospace and Defense Industry Specialist.

 "EHang's selection of Nevada to test its people-carrying drone marks a thrilling addition to the innovative companies testing throughout our state to advance the commercial drone industry. I personally look forward to the day when drone taxis are part of Nevada's transportation system."

The EHang 184 electric drones are likely to sell for somewhere between $200,000 to $300,000.

What do you think about the pilotless octocopter EHang 184? Would you want to give it a try? Let us know in comments below.