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Ehang 184
The Ehang 184 debuts at CES 2016, capable of carrying 100kg of humans and cargo at 100 kph for 23 minutes (sadly no rides were offered to guests and journalists).
One of the most talked about products at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Shows (CES) in Las Vegas left observers wondering whether to call it a passenger drone or a self-flying helicopter.
Robo Uber for the Skies
The Ehang 184 can be folded up for easy storage and transportation (you probably could hide the 1.5m tall drone in a studio apartment).
Made by Chinese UAV manufacturer Ehang, the Ehang 184 (numbered "184" for 1 passenger, eight rotors and four wings) is a 1.5 meter 200kg, all electric drone that can carry a 100kg person for 23 minutes at speeds of 100 kph. As a fully automated UAV with redundant fly by wire (FBW) and networked, encrypted sensors, Ehang 184 allows non-pilots to fly in small, personal aircraft without having to go through extensive pilot training or the high cost of a private jet/helicopter. Rather, they can enjoy their flight in the comfort of an air conditioned, F-1 style racing cabin that even has 4G Internet. The manufacturer claims its sensors and computer are smart enough to allow the 184 to fly both in the empty rural spaces and reasonably crowded urban areas.
Ehang
Urban Passage
Ehang hopes that its air chauffeur drone will eventually fly in the skies of drones world wide, doing for personal transportation and private aircraft what DJI has done with recreational drones.
If it gains widespread acceptance, the Ehang 184 and its successors would democratize private flight. Its like Uber meets the Google Car, but in the air. But like these examples, the technology may also may have security applications.
Ehang
Precursor
The Ehang 184 might not be ideal for military missions, but its autonomous software is a strong foundation to build autonomously operating VTOL drones for the Chinese military.
At first glance, the Ehang 184's short range and likely low flight altitude would seem to preclude its use as a military transport. However, it's high level of flight automation and redundant systems can be militarized and scaled to other systems. Ehang has developed flight control software that not only autonomously develops a flight plan and adjusts them according to data from its many sensors, but the flight control system can also refuse to take off in certain conditions (thunderstorms), as well as diagnosis and remedy damage (such as birdstrikes), including emergency landing protocols.
Wired Magazine
K-Max
The Kaman K-Max is a cargo carrying American drone helicopter that can fly autonomously to resupply Marine outposts in Afghanistan.
To look at the Ehang 184's possible military use, the U.S. Marines' testing of the K-Max robotic helicopter in Afghanistan and for at sea use is a likely guide. Just like the K-Max, the application of Ehang 184 technology to Chinese unmanned systems would provide autonomous tactical delivery of supplies (and maybe even people) to rugged locations, where it's too dangerous for manned helicopters or runways are unavailable. Conversely, the Ehang could provide on-demand evacuation of lone special force operators, VIPs, casualties, prisoners and captured materials. Proliferating widespread VTOL airlift capabilities to Chinese forces would aid logistics for COIN operations and peacekeeping, and give third dimension maneuver capabilities to Chinese squads operating in urban environments.
Ehang
Mass Private Helicopters
While the Ehang 184 is quite pricey, Ehang hopes that a mass production run of its successors would achieve economies of scale, bringing down the price.
Just like in so many other technologies, including the helicopter and drones that its takes inspiration from, the Ehang 184 could become the forerunner to highly autonomous robotic systems at use at work, play, and war.
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