Dubai is setting the standards for futuristic technology once again as it plans to launch a self-service drone taxi this coming summer. By July, Dubai commuters can opt to ride a flying taxi to transport them to their desired destination.
Mattar al-Tayer, head of Dubai's transportation agency, said that he is confident in the success of their July launching of the drones since they have already made all the necessary tests to make sure everything works fine. "This is not only a model, we have actually experimented with this vehicle flying in Dubai's skies," he said.
But some critics are still unsure about the whole safety of the venture. Dr Steve Wright, senior lecturer in avionics and aircraft systems at the University of the West of England, told in an interview with BBC that he's having second thoughts about the whole project.
"The way these systems work, making them work normally is easy. The tricky bit is making systems that are resilient to failure," he said. "I would like to see the drone flying for at least 1000 hours before I saw a human in it."
The flying taxis are egg-shaped drones that are capable of carrying a single passenger with one luggage with a maximum weight of 100 kilograms. They are capable of flying without the help of human direction, and with a full battery charge of 2 hours, the drone can last 30 minutes.
First unveiled at CES last year, Dubai will use the Ehang 184 drone model for their flying taxis. It has four propellers that fold during landing so that it could fit into a car parking space.
This mini aircraft can travel 160 kilometers per hour. To request a flying taxi, you just have to open the app on your phone and wait at the designated pick-up location. From there, you just have to sit tight while the drone takes you to your destination.
Although everything is automated, all drone movements will be monitored by a "Command and Control Center". The drones also have a built-in fail safe system, prompting them to land automatically in the nearest space if ever something goes amiss. Is this the coolest way to beat the traffic, or what?
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
