JAKARTA, Jun 26 (NNN-ANTARA) – The EHang 216-S flying taxi, successfully conducted a test flight in Tangerang Regency, Banten province, yesterday, after receiving permission from Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation, to carry passengers in a demonstration flight.
“Our agenda is to continue testing flights, so that, this can become a future mode of tourism and transportation,” said Rudy Salim, executive chairman of Prestige Aviation, the company that introduced the EHang 216-S to Indonesia.
Previously, the pilotless flying taxi, which resembles a large drone, had been showcased on several occasions, including test flights with no passengers or using human dummies. This time, the autonomous aerial vehicle flew with actual passengers onboard, following a permit granted by the Directorate of Airworthiness and Aircraft Operations, under the Ministry of Transportation’s Directorate General of Air Transportation.
The electric-powered EHang 216-S, is targeted to become one of Indonesia’s future modes of transportation. The drone taxi is also being considered for operations in Indonesia’s new capital city Nusantara. Additionally, it is expected to offer a new option for national tourism.
The flying vehicle uses autonomous aerial vehicle technology, and does not require a human pilot, relying instead on artificial intelligence for autonomous flight. It has a height of 1.77 metres, a width of 5.61 metres, a maximum speed of 130 km per hour, and can carry up to 220 kg. At full capacity, it can fly a distance of 35 km in approximately 21 minutes.– NNN-ANTARA
