Keeping up with the promise of moving towards a clener future, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai showcased the world’s first self-flying taxi service on Monday.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, attended the maiden concept flight of the autonomous air taxi (AAT) near the Jumeirah Beach Park. The two-seater AAT developed by German drone firm Volocopter is capable of transporting people without human intervention or a pilot.
“After the remarkable success of the first driverless Metro in the region, we are glad to witness today the test flight of the AAT,” said Sheikh Hamdan.
Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, said the AAT has “top security and safety standards”. “It is also fitted with optional emergency parachutes, nine independent battery systems, and a battery quick-charge and plug-in system.”
The battery takes two hours to reach full charge in the prototype version. This will be “significantly reduced in the production version”, he said.
Al Tayer said: “The trial run of the AAT reflects the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to transform Dubai into the world’s smartest city. It is also part of the RTA’s efforts to introduce autonomous transportation services after conducting rigorous tests for these vehicles in Dubai’s climatic conditions.”
The AAT will be available to the public through an app, which will allow customers to book flights, receive booking reference details and track routes.
Over the next five years, the RTA will collaborate with the General Civil Aviation Authority and Dubai Civil Aviation Authority to ensure that the operational requirements for implementing AAT services are put in place.
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