Ehang 184: Flying car meets pilotless drone

If you are one of the thousands who unwrapped a drone this Christmas, you already own an early incarnation of flying car technology, according to Chinese tech start-up Ehang.

The Ehang 184 claims to be a pilot-less, but safe, way to fly up to 20 miles on one charge of its batteries.

Controlling the single seat, eight-rotor fully-automated drone involves using a touch screen no more complicated than a sat nav. The passenger chooses a destination and the drone does the rest. Other controls allow the drone either hovers or land immediately.

The Ehang 184 flying drone boasts a maximum flight time of 23 minutes, a top speed of 60 mph and a maximum altitude of 11,000 ft.

Can I buy the Ehang 184 drone?

With nothing to do but relax and enjoy the view as you are whisked to your destination, there is something of the flying carpet about the Ehang 184. Unfortunately for drivers dreaming of journeys free of roadworks, congestion and emissions, a countless number of small aircraft such as the Ehang 184 make it to advanced concept stage before becoming mothballed. Computer generated images and flying prototypes able to make short hops do not an aircraft make.

The real-world flying demonstrations promised for later this year will give a far better indication of whether this flying drone is likely to become a commercial reality. Ehang plans to launch a crowdfunding campaign this year, but with an estimated retail price of £200,000 it may be destined to be little more than another toy to sit alongside the mini-subs and jet skis on board super yachts.

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