Ehang 184 - The Passenger Mega Drone

[WYP]

Want a drone that you yourself can fly inside? Meet the Ehang 184, the possible future of short distance transportation.

Read more on the Ehang 184 passenger drone.

 

[BigDaddyKong]

Technically, is it still a drone if it has a passenger that controls the destination rides on board? Should it not be labeled as a personal quad copter instead? It may make getting over legal hurdles easier if they would change the name.

 

[TalllPaul]

Technically, is it still a drone if it has a passenger that controls the destination rides on board? Should it not be labeled as a personal quad copter instead? It may make getting over legal hurdles easier if they would change the name.

I was thinking the same.

 

[Kleptobot]

A quad copter is one of the most inefficient methods of propulsion. I seriously doubt this idea will 'take off' . Better off with a fixed wing design that maybe uses rotors on a gimbal for VTOL purposes.

-edit
subsequent thoughts:
1) Fixed wing design is inherently safer as they tend not to fall like rocks in motor failure events
2) If they are determined to stay with the quad copter configuration then it would probably be more stable in flight with the cabin mounted below the rotors
3) I hope the doors are locked while the rotors are spinning or you're going to lose at least a leg

-edit 2
a lifting body approach might be appropriate to minimise wing size ect

 

[Greenback]

In all honesty it's not going to be a practical thing in most areas, considering a 5 mile radius and landing spots