EHang Holdings Limited has announced it expects UAM trials of its EHang 216 to start soon in Linz, Austria,
According to a press release:
“At the recent global Urban Air Mobility (UAM) Virtual Conference held by the Aviation Week Network, the Chief Marketing Officer of EHang Europe Andreas Perotti shared the Company’s UAM use cases in varied scenarios and efforts to drive forward UAM implementation in Europe. …In light of the disruptive potential of UAM, EHang established strategic partnerships in 2019 with FACC and LINZ AG, local partners with rich experience in urban public transportation and charging infrastructure. The three parties agreed to join hands in building Linz into a UAM pilot city. They will conduct passenger flights and goods transportation with autonomous air taxis in urban areas.
“Suitable eco-friendly electric motors and powerful batteries with short charging times already exist. So far, stable 5G infrastructure is available to ensure real time communication and precision for navigation during flight and landing. Next, a suitable testing route running over uninhabited areas to the vertiports will be determined within the city of Linz. While construction is planned for 2021, trial flights are planned in the near future.
“In the course of the test flight, various aspects will be carefully studied including the practicality of implementation in urban areas, acceptance by the populace and the expected positive impact on the environment, and more. The project will be led by joint efforts from each partner bringing in their specific expertise. The public service aspect will also be considered, as UAM is not only about purchasing aircraft by private customers. Rather, public benefits are paramount, with a focus on integration into an overall transportation plan.”
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