Washington: The world’s first passenger drone taxi has been given approval for test flights in Nevada. The autonomous drone can transport a single passenger for up to 23 minutes.
The company is the first of its kind in the United States which is developed by Chinese company EHang. Drone was first introduced in Nevada at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show in January in Las Vegas.
According to the GOED statement. The GOED and the Nevada Institute for Autonomous Systems reached an agreement with EHang last month and “will help guide EHang through the FAA regulatory process with the ultimate goal of achieving safe flight.”
Tom Wilczek, Aerospace and Defense Industry Specialist for the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, said in a statement that. “I personally look forward to the day when drone taxis are part of Nevada’s transportation system,”
The company explains: “After setting up the flight plan with a single click, user can take off on any location, sit, relax and enjoy the flight.”
The user cannot take control in an emergency. In the event of a malfunction, the drone would land in the nearest available area.
It is likely to sell for between £140,000 ($200,000) and £200,000.
EHang says it testing should begin at the FAA-approved site at some point this year.