Chinese Cities' upcoming Compact Citizen Choppers - China may be starting the first trials for pilot-less intracity public transport

[rcmaehl]

Sources:
CNBC (quote, media source)

 

Summary:
Chinese startup Ehang states it will be starting pilot-less passenger drone flights within a year.

 

Media:

 

Quotes/Excerpts:

Quote

Chinese startup Ehang says its autonomous passenger drones could soon be flying in the skies of China’s biggest cities, making the country one of the first in the world. Ehang announced a pilot project with the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou, in which it plans to set up three or four regular flight routes for passengers to take. That could take place either this year or in 2020, Xiong said. China would be the first country to carry out such a program where passengers are able to travel in autonomous flying vehicles. Other places like Dubai are also looking into it, carrying out tests, but have not announced programs that resemble Guangzhou’s. Ehang is not the only company pushing forth autonomous drones. Both Airbus and Boeing have tested their own versions of this technology in the past two years, while German startup Lilium is another player in the game. Before such flying vehicles can take off, however, there are a number of challenges, from needing new infrastructure to regulatory concerns, to convincing passengers that the technology is safe. Ehang will be working with the authorities in Guangzhou to build up infrastructure like landing and take off pads.The company was...picked by the Civil Aviation Administration....as the country’s first company to start a pilot program for the development of autonomous passenger drones. It claims that it has conducted over 2,000 test flights inside and outside of China in various weather conditions, and is confident of the safety standards.  "...even if you … lost the motors or even several motors you’re still fine,” Xiong said.

 

My Thoughts:

Yes, Nice, but actually no. I'm sure there'll be a lot of people willing to ride in these but I'd much rather be in a vehicle with an expert or at least knowledgeable person about the vehicle. While I'm aware auto-pilot in the aviation industry, I don't think we should ever really be without pilots.

[Arika]

looks expensive

[rcmaehl]

1 minute ago, Arika S said:

looks expensive

I mean it's an alternative to this
 

[Arika]

3 minutes ago, rcmaehl said:

I mean it's an alternative to this
 

looks like it's killing our planet

[rcmaehl]

2 minutes ago, Arika S said:

looks like it's killing our planet

You're not wrong
 

 

[williamcll]

I thought saudi Arabia is doing it first?

[rcmaehl]

Just now, williamcll said:

I thought saudi Arabia is doing it first?

Saudi Arabia actually have to make their city first, they definitely have the money to get it done though.

[PopsicleHustler]

I don't know about you, but I would be terrified to take a flight in a plastic toy without a pilot.

[rcmaehl]

1 minute ago, huilun02 said:

Can already imagine the company name being changed to "Ebang" 

I'm sure at least one person will use it to join the mile-high club.... or maybe not because social credit score

[givingtnt]

China + current situation + citizen chopper ?

Sounds.. wrong but ok..

[Joluch]

I can't quite decide if flying a bunch of people around or having them idle in crazy traffic jams is better or worse for the environment.

1 hour ago, rcmaehl said:

or maybe not because social credit score

*giggles*

Can that thing even fly a mile up?

[rcmaehl]

13 minutes ago, Joluch said:

Can that thing even fly a mile up?

A full 2 miles actually, although a far cry from modern planes that can do 4x that and military aircraft that can do 9x that.

[HarryNyquist]

4 hours ago, rcmaehl said:

A full 2 miles actually, although a far cry from modern planes that can do 4x that and military aircraft that can do 9x that.
 

2 miles is enough, I'd say.

[rcmaehl]

3 minutes ago, VegetableStu said:

but chinooks exist

Needs more googly eyes

[FezBoy]

2 hours ago, VegetableStu said:

i kinda question the airtime of personal flight vehicles ._. especially battery powered ones and those that don't have a failsafe way of landing

 

if anything, those microflight people should look into air-busses (ha ha), but chinooks exist ._.

Autorotation?

[rcmaehl]

Just now, FezBoy said:

Autorotation?

http://www.youtubemultiplier.com/5d66f7a89b761-copter-autorotation-irl.php

[Beskamir]

11 hours ago, Arika S said:

looks like it's killing our planet

Actually I think it'd be more expensive to use planes/drones/helicopters/whatever other fancy name for flying things we come up with/etc than it would be to just keep driving cars even with the considered traffic. What you gain in speed and no traffic you lose with having to maintain altitude. Although I'm just speculating so maybe this could be more efficient? But even if it isn't people will probably still use it for the same reason they use wireless charging even though it's laughably inefficient.

 

10 hours ago, PopsicleHustler said:

I don't know about you, but I would be terrified to take a flight in a plastic toy without a pilot.

What's the difference between an AI pilot and a human pilot? Both are basically the same with the AI being faster, capable of more computation, better control, etc.

[Trik'Stari]

13 hours ago, rcmaehl said:

I mean it's an alternative to this
 

And yet, will unironically be less safe.

[dgsddfgdfhgs]

solely for military use...

[dizmo]

I find the picture hilarious. Sure, a personal helicopter, yet the infrastructure behind you is rusting away.

[Spotty]

3 hours ago, Beskamir said:

What's the difference between an AI pilot and a human pilot? Both are basically the same with the AI being faster, capable of more computation, better control, etc

AI pilot would also be lighter than a 70kg pilot, which would improve flight time. Also cheaper than paying pilots salaries.

[The King of the Undead]

21 hours ago, HarryNyquist said:

2 miles is enough, I'd say.

we are low on batter-