Features of EHANG 184 Passenger Drone Made In China To Replace Helicopters & Cars
The pursuit of electric vehicles that can move on roads and also fly had been a major focus in the mind of scientists.
The benefit such vehicle can offer is enormous ranging from decongestion of roads to a secured transport system.
In regard to its development, much research had been embarked by different firms with each having its own design and such have led to the recent video publications online revealing several flying cars known as aero mobiles.
Our previous posts revealed some of the cars that can actually fly, however; EHANG 184 is a different design altogether.
EHANG 184, a new aero mobile developed recently by Ehang firm in China which was displayed in the “CES 2016” has been commercialized.
According to fortune.com’s publication on January 7th, 2016, the vehicle was displayed on Wednesday 6th January 2016 at the CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW (CES) held in Las Vegas. From the display the vehicle can be said to have the following features:
AN ELECTRIC RECHARGEABLE BATTERY: the EHANG 184’s battery can take up to four hours to be recharged, but when at its 100%; it can be used to make a successful flight that would last up to 23minutes in the air. The statistics show that it covers 62 miles per hour which can be said to be its standard speed.
CONVERTIBLE ARMS: the EHANG 184’s arms which bear the electric motors that power it; are convertible, this means that after landing successfully the arms fold up and draw all the motors and their blades inside the vehicle making it possible to minimize space.
UP TO 220 POUNDS WEIGHT OF LOAD: It has the capacity of lifting a weight of about 220 pounds off the ground for a short-distance flight. This means that it can carry one heavy passenger bearing such weight or two light passengers whose combined weights do not exceed 220 pounds.
TRUNK FOR LOAD: EHANG 184 has a trunk located at the back, such a trunk can be able to carry lightweight loads belonging to the passenger. The door of the trunk is located at the back and is usually controlled automatically.
ONBOARD TABLET: there is an onboard tablet located inside the pod-like cockpit. The passenger operates the vehicle by selecting their flight destination and then clicking on the activation button and washing the whole magic of the flight taking place. Its operation in this regard made the vehicle to be termed the first passenger drone soon to be commercialized in China.
AIR-CONDITIONED CABIN: Besides the automatic operation, it is equipped with an air-conditioned cabin, making it possible for the passenger to enjoy the flight in any weather condition.
Besides the above-mentioned features, it was built with four arms bearing the electric motors that power the blades. A 5 feet tall in height and 440 pounds weight vehicle and believed to be the best alternative to helicopters.
However, despite the praises received by the vehicle, many questions had been raised in regard to the safety of the passenger in the case of any malfunction.
The major area eyes were raised is the possibility of the onboard tablet failing to respond to control or signals and since the passenger has no other control means.
That would be disastrous, but the manufacturer had claimed that their control center monitors each flight and can intervene in emergency situations.
