There’s electricity in the air.
A Chinese automobile firm is taking the electric vehicle to new heights by rolling out a driverless flying taxi that can fly over 100 miles on a single charge, per a video currently taking off online.
“It [the car] is engineered to transform intercity aerial travel into a safe, routine, and efficient transportation experience,” EHang Holding vehicles, made announced in a press release.
The VT35, launched on October 13 in Hefei, Anhui Province, is the firm’s latest generation of long-range pilotless electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
Building on the prior VT30 prototype, the two-seat flying vehicle features autonomous flight systems, electric propulsion, and a compact airframe with the goal of making urban aerial travel safer and more efficient.
It also addresses one of the biggest criticism of the eVTOL — electric fuel efficiency.
Fortunately, the VT35 can travel a distance of 125 miles on a single charge while cruising along at 134 miles per hour — the latter ability is thanks to a rear pusher propeller and fixed wings for efficient forward flight.
Meanwhile, the model is equipped with eight lift propellers for vertical take-off and landing, meaning it can travel to and land on rooftops, parking lots, and other ports, further enhancing its potential as an inner-city mode of aerial transit.
Although the company foresees its potential for traveling across mountains and oceans as well.
In a recent demonstration, the cutting-edge autonomous taxi could be seen performing its first complete transition flight from vertical lift to forward cruise.
The VT35 doesn’t sacrifice comfort for function, either.
The vehicle, whose maximum takeoff weight of 950 kg, including two passengers and their cargo, is also outfitted with a leather interior and a touchscreen motherboard that serves as both a dashboard and entertainment hub, Interesting Engineering reported.
Meanwhile, remote pilots can manage temperature, seating, and navigation adjustments using voice and touch controls.
As for safety measures, the VT35 is equipped with “obstacle detection and avoidance” as well as redundant systems that further prevent the likelihood of operational mishaps.
“As a pioneer in pilotless eVTOL technology, EHang is continuously optimizing aircraft performance and expanding applications to offer the public safer, smarter, and more accessible low-altitude transportation solutions for a greener, shared future in global civil aviation,” said EHang founder and CEO Huazhi Hu.
A global release date has now been announced for the vehicle, which will reportedly be priced at $913,600.
The vehicle is currently undergoing internal testing and airworthiness evaluations to gauge if its fit for its maiden commercial flights.
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