Air taxis capable of flying passengers without a pilot will be trialled in Dubai later this year.
Trials of the autonomous aircraft are to take place in the final quarter of the year following an agreement between the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and German company Volocopter.
Its two-seater AAT, which is quickly rechargeable, can reach speeds of up to 100kph with the ability to fly for up to 30 minutes at any one time.
HE Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Roads and Transport Authority, said the taxis are capable of carrying two people and will help Dubai become the world’s smartest city.
He said the move needs to be seen in the context of RTA’s efforts to provide more self-driving transport in the city with Dubai aiming to make one quarter of journeys autonomous by 2030.
The air taxi is powered by electricity and operates to a high safety standard. It can transfer passengers from one site to another without the need for a pilot.
The board of directors of RTA visited a number of autonomous aircraft producers and Volocopter was chosen because of its high-quality design and safety record.
If the trials are successful a legislative and operational framework will be developed in conjunction with the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority.
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