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Autonomous Flying Taxis Take Off in China, Reaching Speeds of 130 km/h. Innovative System Could Revolutionize Transportation in Major Urban Centers
China has taken a decisive step toward the future of urban transportation by officially launching the first flying taxi services using autonomous drones. This development comes with the issuance of the first licenses for pilotless commercial passenger flights.
The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) granted Air Operator Certificates to EHang Holdings in Guangdong province and its subsidiary Heyi Aviation, located in Hefei, Anhui province. As a result, the companies are authorized to conduct crewless passenger transportation flights using flying taxis.
According to a statement from EHang, the moment marks the official start of the commercial phase of autonomous flights in the country’s so-called low-altitude economy.
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Now, consumers will be able to purchase tickets for services such as urban sightseeing tours, scenic flights, and other commercial routes in specific areas, starting with Guangzhou and Hefei.
“This milestone officially marks the launch of China’s human transportation flight era in the low-altitude economy, allowing citizens and consumers to purchase air tickets for low-altitude tourism, urban sightseeing tours, and various commercial services of human transportation flights in related operational locations in Guangzhou and Hefei“, said a statement from EHang.
Certification After Testing
The authorization marks the final stage of a lengthy regulatory process. Before operating, the flying taxis needed to undergo approvals for production and airworthiness. With the certificates issued, autonomous passenger flights are now cleared for the public.
This movement is part of a larger plan by China to develop low-altitude aviation technologies. In addition to drones, the plan includes airships and other light aircraft. The intention is to accelerate the growth of the sector and create a new model for aerial mobility.
The first routes are expected to focus on short-distance tourism. Later, companies plan to expand to larger networks. Although the vehicles fly without a pilot, they must adhere to strict safety, operational, and maintenance regulations, as indicated by local reports.
The journey to commercial approval began in July 2024, with the CAAC reviewing the license application. Since then, EHang has progressed with testing and certifications to reach the current stage.
Flight Technology
The main aircraft involved in this new phase is the EH216-S, an electric vertical take-off and landing drone, known as an eVTOL. It was developed over six years and completed its first flight in the United States in 2020.
The Chinese certification came in October 2023, with mass production approval in April 2024. In November, the first worldwide test flight was conducted using this technology, utilizing a solid-state battery. This flight did not have a pilot and was fully autonomous.
The EH216-S is considered the first pilotless eVTOL aircraft to receive a type certificate, allowing its commercial use for transporting people.
The innovation has attracted international attention. Also in November 2024, Saudi Arabia tested EHang’s technology during the transport of Hajj pilgrims, using the air taxi for quick and safe travel.
How the Air Taxi Works
The passenger drone has a capacity for two people. The fuselage is made of carbon fiber composite and has eight arms. Each arm has two coaxial propellers, totaling 16.
It operates on pre-defined routes, connecting to a control center via the 5G network. The maximum speed reaches 130 km/h, with a cruising speed of 100 km/h. The operational altitude can reach up to 3,000 meters.
The flight autonomy is 21 minutes, covering approximately 35 kilometers. After this time, recharging the battery takes about two hours. The vehicle can support up to 220 kilograms and features gull-wing doors and fixed landing gear.
Flying Taxis: Urban Expansion on the Horizon
EHang is working in partnership with Chinese authorities to expand services beyond tourism. The goal is to integrate flying taxis into urban transportation, facilitating short-distance travel within cities.
The company reported that it intends to assist local operators in applying for their own licenses. This will enable more Chinese cities to offer low-altitude tourism flights, urban tours, and new airborne passenger transport services.
These advancements reinforce China’s commitment to its low-altitude economy, a sector considered strategic for technological growth. Estimates suggest that this area could reach 1.5 trillion yuan by 2025, with the potential to double by 2035.
With approvals in hand and the first authorized commercial flights, China is taking the lead in the global race for autonomous aerial mobility solutions.
With information from Interesting Engineering.
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