Tech & Sci
10:08, 26-Sep-2017
World's first flying drone taxi lifts off in Dubai
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The official Dubai Media Office reports that Dubai's Road and Transport Authority (RTA) launched the Autonomous Air Taxi (AAT) on Monday, with a concept trip near the Jumeirah Beach Park.
The two-seated AAT, capable of transporting people without the need for a pilot, was developed by Volocopter, a Germany-based specialist manufacturer of automated air vehicles.
The AAT is expected to be put into use in the fourth quarter of 2017. It is powered by electricity and has a very safe 18 rotor design which ensures secure cruising and landing in case of any rotor failure, said RTA.
The two-seated taxi can transport people without human intervention or a pilot. /Gif via Volocopter
The two-seated taxi can transport people without human intervention or a pilot. /Gif via Volocopter
"It is environmentally-friendly as it is powered by clean electricity, and it makes very little noise. It has a maximum flight time of approximately 30 minutes at a speed of 50 kilometers per hour, and a maximum air speed of 100 kilometers per hour," according to RTA.
"After the remarkable success of the first driverless metro in the region, we are happy to witness today the test flight of the Autonomous Air Taxi," said Crown Prince of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum.
"This is another proof of our commitment to positive change. We are constantly exploring opportunities to serve the community and advance the prosperity and happiness of society," he added.
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Source(s): Xinhua News Agency