EHang 184 is a “first-ever autonomous aerial vehicle” Announced at CES

[dgstorm]

And you thought the drone you got for Christmas was cool... Check this out! A Chinese developer took the drone concept to a whole new level by creating the “first-ever autonomous aerial vehicle.” It's called the EHang 184, and it is a drone that you can ride in!

According to the press information that was revealed during their CES 2016 reveal, the EHang 184 has some impressive development creativity built-in. Not only does the "device" have some very impressive included safety features, it can also be controlled by a smartphone app. Specifically, the developer shared that you can use the app to simply set the destination (or destinations) for your trip, and the EHang 184 will fly you there automatically.

The safety measures themselves include multiple redundant systems, and also have a series of sensors throughout the drone which monitor it constantly. The EHang 184 will even automatically attempt to land if it detects any damage, and will allow the user to manually take over to hover in case specific instances of danger are detected ahead. Additionally, the app itself is also digitally encrypted to prevent external attacks.

Here are a few more features/specs for the EHang 184:

• All-electric single-seat - takes off and lands vertically (like a helicopter)
• 1.5m tall and weighs 200kg by itself - with a maximum payload capacity of 100kg m
• Autonomy of around 23 minutes
• Average cruising speed of 100km/h
• Powered by eight motors that have a maximum output of 106W
• An included tablet lets the passenger control the ride
• Includes AC and 4G Wi-Fi Internet

Obviously, there are quite a few regulatory agencies that the EHang 184 must convince before it ever becomes a viable commercial product. Despite that, if improved self-driving software continues to evolve, it is likely we will see a future of self-driving, flying cars!

Be sure to check out the full press release and video (below) for further details! What an amazing time to be alive!

 

[dgstorm]

Here's the demo video of the EHang 184:

 

[dgstorm]

Here's the full press release:

"EHang Launches First-Ever Autonomous Aerial Vehicle “EHang 184” at CES

Groundbreaking Vehicle Marks a New Chapter in Transportation; Initial Design Showcased at CES

January 6, 2015, LAS VEGAS – EHang, a Chinese unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) company, unveiled today at CES the EHang 184, the world’s first electric, personal Autonomous Aerial Vehicle (AAV) that will achieve humanity’s long-standing dream of easy, everyday flight for short-to-medium distances. Developed independently by EHang, the fully ready-to-fly AAV is a manned drone capable of automatically carrying a passenger through the air, simply by entering a destination into its accompanying smartphone app. Due to the 184’s fully automated navigation, made possible by EHang’s 24/7, real-time flight command center, passengers have no need for a pilot’s license – they simply sit back and let the drone take over from there. This first realization of automated flight signifies a major turning point not only for the transportation industry, but also for a huge swath of other fields such as shipping, medical care and retail.

“It’s been a lifetime goal of mine to make flight faster, easier and more convenient than ever. The 184 provides a viable solution to the many challenges the transportation industry faces in a safe and energy efficient way,” said EHang CEO Huazhi Hu. “I truly believe that EHang will make a global impact across dozens of industries beyond personal travel. The 184 is evocative of a future we’ve always dreamed of and is primed to alter the very fundamentals of the way we get around.”

The EHang 184, which was named for ‘one’ passenger, ‘eight’ propellers, and ‘four’ arms, is the next wave of innovation from EHang. Having already released a successful consumer product with their Ghost Drone line, EHang is now creating another disruptive and innovative technology to propel us towards the future of solo human transport. Significant features include:

Absolute Safety by Design: Automated flight eliminates the most dangerous part of standard modes of transportation: human error.

The EHang 184 has built in reinforcements for all flight systems, so that in the unlikely event that a component does fail, multiple backups are already in place to seamlessly take over.

EHang’s independently developed Fail-Safe System ensures that if any components malfunction, or if there’s damage while the AAV is in-flight (i.e. from a bird), the aircraft will immediately begin taking the necessary precautions to ensure safety. The 184’s Fail-Safe System automatically evaluates the damage and determines whether the AAV will need to land to ensure its passenger’s safety.

The EHang 184 AAV flight control systems have multiple sets of sensors that provide the drone a constant stream of real-time data.

The 184’s communication system was also designed with a safety guarantee: every system is encrypted, and each AAV comes with an independent key.

In the event of an emergency, passengers can elect to halt flight and simply hover in the air with just one click.

Automation: The 184 uses multiple independent flight control systems to automatically navigate passengers from point A to point B. These systems combine real-time data collected from sensors throughout the flight and automatically plot the fastest and safest route to carry passengers to their destinations.

Remedy for Aging Transportation Industry: The EHang 184 AAV takes off and lands vertically, subsequently eliminating the need for runways. Its foldable design solves the logistical and spatial issues that have constrained airplanes and other modes of air-travel from expanding into daily use. Mass-adoption of the 184 has the potential to streamline congested traffic and dramatically reduce the kinds of accidents associated with any human-operated vehicle.

The Power of Electricity: The 184 is 100 percent electric and doesn’t depend on fossil fuels, reducing our reliance on substances that can be environmentally damaging.

Sync-flight Management Platform: EHang is also building an advanced low-altitude flight command center which will be in constant contact with all of its flying vehicles. While the 184 is able to fly during thunderstorms and other extreme weather conditions, the command center can prohibit the AAV from taking off as a precaution.

Drone Specs and Passenger Experience
Standing 1.5 meters tall and weighing 200 kilograms (440 pounds), the EHang 184 AAV has a load capacity of 100 kilograms (220 pounds), with the maximum output of 106W powered by eight motors. It’s designed to have the capability to carry a single passenger for 23 minutes’ duration flight at sea level at average cruising speed of 100 km/h.

The EHang 184 AAV body consists of a cabin for single passenger with a gull-wing door, a trunk and the power system composed of four arms and eight propellers on the bottom. The four arms, when folded, allow the AAV to occupy the same size parking space as consumer cars.

Inside the cabin is placed a single seat, with a design similar to an F1 racing car seat. In front of the seat is a tablet console, through which passengers can easily input commands. Additionally, the cabin’s built-in air conditioner automatically adjusts the in-cabin temperature. Complete with 4G Wi-Fi Internet, EHang 184 provides passengers with comfortable and enjoyable riding experiences.

This first glimpse of the EHang 184 offers just a small sense of its massive potential, even beyond transporting passengers. It promises limitless possibilities and will undoubtedly impact the way we all travel in profound ways."

 

[DougDroid]

Yup, I want it!

 

[danDroid]

Wow, that's an awesome concept. I wonder if something like that will be common in the next 10-15 years?

 

[FFDARRYL]

Here's the full press release:

"EHang Launches First-Ever Autonomous Aerial Vehicle “EHang 184” at CES

Groundbreaking Vehicle Marks a New Chapter in Transportation; Initial Design Showcased at CES

January 6, 2015, LAS VEGAS – EHang, a Chinese unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) company, unveiled today at CES the EHang 184, the world’s first electric, personal Autonomous Aerial Vehicle (AAV) that will achieve humanity’s long-standing dream of easy, everyday flight for short-to-medium distances. Developed independently by EHang, the fully ready-to-fly AAV is a manned drone capable of automatically carrying a passenger through the air, simply by entering a destination into its accompanying smartphone app. Due to the 184’s fully automated navigation, made possible by EHang’s 24/7, real-time flight command center, passengers have no need for a pilot’s license – they simply sit back and let the drone take over from there. This first realization of automated flight signifies a major turning point not only for the transportation industry, but also for a huge swath of other fields such as shipping, medical care and retail.

“It’s been a lifetime goal of mine to make flight faster, easier and more convenient than ever. The 184 provides a viable solution to the many challenges the transportation industry faces in a safe and energy efficient way,” said EHang CEO Huazhi Hu. “I truly believe that EHang will make a global impact across dozens of industries beyond personal travel. The 184 is evocative of a future we’ve always dreamed of and is primed to alter the very fundamentals of the way we get around.”

The EHang 184, which was named for ‘one’ passenger, ‘eight’ propellers, and ‘four’ arms, is the next wave of innovation from EHang. Having already released a successful consumer product with their Ghost Drone line, EHang is now creating another disruptive and innovative technology to propel us towards the future of solo human transport. Significant features include:

Absolute Safety by Design: Automated flight eliminates the most dangerous part of standard modes of transportation: human error.

The EHang 184 has built in reinforcements for all flight systems, so that in the unlikely event that a component does fail, multiple backups are already in place to seamlessly take over.

EHang’s independently developed Fail-Safe System ensures that if any components malfunction, or if there’s damage while the AAV is in-flight (i.e. from a bird), the aircraft will immediately begin taking the necessary precautions to ensure safety. The 184’s Fail-Safe System automatically evaluates the damage and determines whether the AAV will need to land to ensure its passenger’s safety.

The EHang 184 AAV flight control systems have multiple sets of sensors that provide the drone a constant stream of real-time data.

The 184’s communication system was also designed with a safety guarantee: every system is encrypted, and each AAV comes with an independent key.

In the event of an emergency, passengers can elect to halt flight and simply hover in the air with just one click.

Automation: The 184 uses multiple independent flight control systems to automatically navigate passengers from point A to point B. These systems combine real-time data collected from sensors throughout the flight and automatically plot the fastest and safest route to carry passengers to their destinations.

Remedy for Aging Transportation Industry: The EHang 184 AAV takes off and lands vertically, subsequently eliminating the need for runways. Its foldable design solves the logistical and spatial issues that have constrained airplanes and other modes of air-travel from expanding into daily use. Mass-adoption of the 184 has the potential to streamline congested traffic and dramatically reduce the kinds of accidents associated with any human-operated vehicle.

The Power of Electricity: The 184 is 100 percent electric and doesn’t depend on fossil fuels, reducing our reliance on substances that can be environmentally damaging.

Sync-flight Management Platform: EHang is also building an advanced low-altitude flight command center which will be in constant contact with all of its flying vehicles. While the 184 is able to fly during thunderstorms and other extreme weather conditions, the command center can prohibit the AAV from taking off as a precaution.

Drone Specs and Passenger Experience
Standing 1.5 meters tall and weighing 200 kilograms (440 pounds), the EHang 184 AAV has a load capacity of 100 kilograms (220 pounds), with the maximum output of 106W powered by eight motors. It’s designed to have the capability to carry a single passenger for 23 minutes’ duration flight at sea level at average cruising speed of 100 km/h.

The EHang 184 AAV body consists of a cabin for single passenger with a gull-wing door, a trunk and the power system composed of four arms and eight propellers on the bottom. The four arms, when folded, allow the AAV to occupy the same size parking space as consumer cars.

Inside the cabin is placed a single seat, with a design similar to an F1 racing car seat. In front of the seat is a tablet console, through which passengers can easily input commands. Additionally, the cabin’s built-in air conditioner automatically adjusts the in-cabin temperature. Complete with 4G Wi-Fi Internet, EHang 184 provides passengers with comfortable and enjoyable riding experiences.

This first glimpse of the EHang 184 offers just a small sense of its massive potential, even beyond transporting passengers. It promises limitless possibilities and will undoubtedly impact the way we all travel in profound ways."

 

[johnomaz]

Hmmm....23 minutes flight time at around 60mph. Also a max load of 220lbs. Its a good start but for now...still just a prototype.

 

[FFDARRYL]

This is awesome...... Gimmie

 

[DrumsOfGrohl]

Isn't that just a helicopter, but a different technology that keeps it airborne? Its not a drone, because it is manned. Right?

 

[veraderock]

Want.

 

[cereal killer]

This thing is awesome but the 23 minutes of flight time is very anemic. I think for it to get any traction the flight time must be drastically improved. Pretty damn awesome though

 

[realged13]

Gotta start somewhere.

 

[wicked]

Hmmm....23 minutes flight time at around 60mph. Also a max load of 220lbs. Its a good start but for now...still just a prototype.

This thing is awesome but the 23 minutes of flight time is very anemic. I think for it to get any traction the flight time must be drastically improved. Pretty damn awesome though

Would make a great grocery getter. Land it right on top of Safeway.

 

[tech_head]

Hmmm....23 minutes flight time at around 60mph. Also a max load of 220lbs. Its a good start but for now...still just a prototype.

That's what I say.
Flight time needs to be 60-120 minutes for any real possibility of commute.
Needs to be able to carry 300lbs.
The additional weight is for an emergency float system while over water.

Anyway, at $200K or so, it's out f my reach.

 

[danDroid]

Would make a great grocery getter. Land it right on top of Safeway.

I'd rather have a drone drop off the groceries at my house

 

[Xfactorx316]

I want I want I want! but as other have said, I really need it to have at least a 30 minute flight time..... but then again in the air you would have to think travel time between places would be drastically reduced - gotta love a straight line!! I also need the weight boosted.. How awesome would it be to show up at work parking your new toy!! Hahahaha