EHang 216 (drone)

2024

Start of flights in Thailand

In mid-December 2024, the company EHang announced that the unmanned air taxi EH216-S had already made its first flight, taking passengers to the famous Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in central Bangkok. With the permission of the Civil Aviation Authority (Thailand CAAT), the company plans to conduct additional flight tests of EH216-S in Thailand and begin commercial flights in various regions such as Phuket and Samui by 2025 to open up low-altitude airspace and the air taxi market to all of Thailand.

Led by CAAT and supported by the Thai Ministry of Transport, EHang was invited to attend a symposium on unmanned aerial vehicles. As part of the accompanying exhibition, EHang conducted demonstration passenger flights for three days.

𝓲

ehang.com

According to the developers, the EH216-S is capable of vertical take-off and landing, eliminating the need for traditional airport runways, and can carry out direct air transportation in urban centers, effectively solving the problems of congested roads. In addition, Thailand is a country with many islands and rich tourist resources. Traditional inter-island movement through water transport takes time, and air taxi can EH216-S provide efficient and affordable air transportation services in the tourism industry.

EHang Chief Financial Officer Conor Young noted that the "debut passenger flights of unmanned air taxi EH216-S were an important milestone in the development of EHang and a powerful incentive to promote a new approach to urban air transport. In the future, we plan to work with local partners to form a model of scheduled air travel throughout Thailand^[1]

Customers began to receive flying cars EH216-S

In early July 2024, the Chinese company EHang began serial deliveries of two-seat unmanned flying cars EH216-S. The first batch of such devices was transferred to the Wencheng authorities (county of Wenzhou City District, Zhejiang Province).

It is noted that Wencheng seeks to become a pioneer in the emerging economy of small heights. We are talking about the use of manned and, unmanned aerial vehicles which are operated at altitudes up to 1000 meters. Such machines can be used for transportation of passengers, tourist walks, transportation of goods, assistance in emergency situations, etc. The vessel travels along a predetermined route using high-speed wireless 4G5G communication/for communication with the control and control center.

𝓲

newatlas.com

Wencheng received 27 of the 30 ordered vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) electric EH216-S. The district authorities ordered another 270 such cars, which should be shipped by 2026. EHang will work with Wencheng businesses and government entities to develop infrastructure for unmanned air taxis. It is planned to create runways, form a number of routes for excursion flights and launch regular flights by the end of 2024. Additional EH216-S applications are also considered, including in the area of logistics.

Seeing the opportunity to become a world leader in the field of eVTOL, the Chinese federal government provides liberal regulation and certification of this type of flight equipment. EHang is actively collaborating with other regions and enterprises throughout China to scale the business. It is assumed that compact unmanned vehicles will become an alternative to helicopters when moving by air over short distances.^[2]

Start of sales of unmanned air taxi for $332 thousand

On March 18, 2024, it became known that the Chinese company EHang Holdings Limited began selling its unmanned flying taxis designed to carry two passengers. We are talking about an electric eVTOL device EH216-S with vertical take-off and landing.

According to Reuters, orders for the drone are EH216-S being accepted on the Chinese Internet site Taobao. The cost is 2.39 million yuan, or approximately $332 thousand at the exchange rate as of March 20, 2024. It is assumed that the entry of air taxi on sale will open a new era of safe and environmentally friendly air mobility. The battery charge is EH216-S enough to cover a distance of about 30 km. Thus, the drone can become an alternative to helicopters for delivering passengers, for example, from the city to the airport and back or for flights between the islands.

𝓲

EHang

EHang also announced the debut demonstration flight of the EH216-S device in Latin America. The event took place in the scenic resort area of ​ ​ Reserva Conchal in the province of Guanacaste of Costa Rica. The demonstration showed the possibility of using air taxi to organize air tourism - in particular, to sightseeing the resort from a bird's eye view.

In general, according to EHang, the EH216-S drone is a versatile machine that can be adapted for various tasks. Among them are the delivery of medical care to hard-to-reach areas and emergency response operations. EHang has also decided on the cost of air taxi on the international market: outside of China, the car will be offered at an estimated price of $410 thousand. Order acceptance is planned to be organized from April 1, 2024.^[3]

2023

Obtaining a certificate for operating without a driver

On October 13, 2023, the Civil Aviation Administration China (CAAC) issued EHang Holdings Limited an airworthiness certificate to the company for an unmanned air taxi EH216-S designed to carry two passengers. It is claimed that this is the world's first permit of this type, paving the way for commercial operation flying taxis without a driver.

EH216-S is a drone with electric propulsion, vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL). The machine with 16 bearing screws is capable of speeds up to 135 km/h. It is noted that EHang worked closely with CAAC and the expert group of the department in the framework of air taxi tests. The device EH216-S passed comprehensive laboratory, ground and flight tests, including in professional aviation laboratories and at test sites in various regions of China. These tests, among other things, included the assessment of material characteristics, structural strength, fire resistance, shock resistance, electromagnetic compatibility, reliability of data transmission channels and control systems, flight characteristics, etc.

The Chinese Civil Aviation Administration has issued an airworthiness certificate for unmanned air taxi EH216-S

Successful certification of the EH216-S drone in China will make it much easier to obtain permits to operate the vehicle in the United States, as well as in Europe and Southeast Asia. EHang intends to start entering foreign markets in 2024.

EHang's main partners include Xiyu Tourism, which is preparing to launch low-altitude tourist excursions by 2028-2029. using more than 100 EH216-S air taxis. In total, by October 2023, EHang had received more than 1,000 pre-orders for its self-driving vehicles from customers from different countries, including the firm AirX in Japan, Aerotree in Malaysia and Prestige in Indonesia.^[4]

Commercial air taxi launched in China for the first time

On August 21, 2023, the Chinese company EHang Holdings Limited announced that it had received permission from the Civil Aviation Administration PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA to commercially operate unmanned air taxi EH216-S.

The EH216-S aircraft is a vehicle with an electric power plant, vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL). The design with eight twin bearing screws is used without the possibility of changing their position during flight. Air taxi is designed for flights over relatively short distances: the battery pack will be enough to overcome 30-35 km. The device is capable of speeds up to 135 km/h.

Commercial air taxi launched in China for the first time

The carrying capacity of the EH216-S is 220 kg: the aircraft can take on board two passengers. The air taxi moves along a pre-laid route, and the flight is remotely monitored by the operator, who, if necessary, can take control. Passengers do not need to perform any actions - they can admire the surroundings. EHang claims that the implemented scheme provides a high level of security.

We are pleased to announce that we have successfully completed all planned EH216-S trials. This achievement marks an unprecedented milestone in the global emerging eVTOL industry, highlighting our dedication and innovative benefits, "said EHang Founder and CEO Huazi Hu.

Over a two-year period (by August 2023), the company completed more than 9,300 successful low-altitude test flights in various Chinese cities, including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Zhaoqing and Sanya. Certification by the PRC Civil Aviation Administration means that EHang can begin commercial transportation of people on its unmanned air taxi.^[5]

2021: Participation in the AiRMOUR Flying Ambulance Project

In mid-February 2021 Europe , projects were launched in six countries to use drones unmanned aerial vehicles for provision, emergency medical care they involve the EHang 216 drone. More. here

2020: Flight permit

On May 27, 2020, it became known that the Civil Aviation Administration of China issued permission to the local company EHang Holdings to launch unmanned civilian air vehicles. This is the first such issued permit in the world.

In particular, EHang is allowed to enter commercial operation of EHang 216 air taxi. This is a 2-seater vehicle, similar to a tail-less helicopter, equipped with 8 powerful engines with twin propellers that provide vertical thrust.

EHang 216 drone

The device weighs 340 kg and is capable of lifting a weight of 260 kg. It can reach speeds of up to 150 km per hour and is capable of flying 70 km on a 17 kW battery. The cost of the device is about $336 thousand.

EHang plans to launch EHang 216 in Taizhou Urban District to transport goods between different heights, as well as to transport between the mainland and nearby islands. Subsequently, it is planned to launch operations in other settlements of China.

The company's message does not say that at the initial stage it is planned to use the specified UAV to transport passengers.

The condition for issuing the permit was compliance with the rules for the operation of unmanned aerial vehicles introduced by the department in February 2019. These rules are temporary and need to be finalized, which will become possible after the first commercial flights.

Along with the other 60 states, China is part of the Joint Authorities for Rulemaking of Unmanned Systems consortium, which aims to develop technical and legal standards that will allow UAVs to be certified worldwide for commercial operation.

Urban air travel is a market with great potential. According to Morgan Stanley's forecast, by 2040 the volume of the global urban air transportation market could reach $1.5 trillion.^[6]

Notes