Ready For A Drone Flight?

Mar 13, 2017 By Renee-Wang
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Can you imagine one day getting to your destination on a flying car instead of a regular four-wheeled car!

Recently, the city of Dubai announced passenger drone planes that can skillfully travel 30 minutes to any destination within 31 miles away (roughly 49889 meters). The drone can take passengers weighing 220 pounds (roughly 100 kilograms) and is auto-piloted. All you--  the passenger, have to do it sit back, relax and input your destination on a touch screen.

The original concept of these amazing drone-plane hybrids came from EHang, a Chinese company. According to Ehang, the drone is equipped with a camera to determine where to land, and the ability to land right away at the safest location should the drone break down.

While safety is the top priority, some express concerns with Dubai’s ambitious plans to release the drones to the public by July. Dr. Steve Wright, a lecturer at the University of the West of England with a background in aircraft systems explains that programming the drones to spread their wings and fly is relatively ‘easy’. The problem lies in the drone’s ability to prevent mishaps.

Although there are a lot of kinks to work out before we can hop on a drone and travel miles away to a vacation destination, it is certainly exciting how far drone technology has advanced. From drones delivering packages to our doorsteps, to drones delivering us all across the globe!