Seoul test flies 'drone taxi'

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

National

Mon, September 25, 2023 | 02:32

Society

Seoul test flies 'drone taxi'

Posted : 2020-11-11 21:31

Updated : 2020-11-12 14:13

The EH216 drone made by Chinese company Ehang flies over Yeouido, Seoul, during a test run of the air taxi service, Wednesday. The Seoul Metropolitan Government and the transport ministry aim to commercialize urban air mobility services by 2025. Yonhap

By Bahk Eun-ji

Seoul City and the transport ministry carried out a test flight of a "drone taxi," Wednesday, which is emerging as a means of future urban transportation.

This is the first time for a drone developed for use as a taxi to fly above the capital area.

During a demonstration flight hosted jointly by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, an EH216 drone taxi, made by Chinese company Ehang, successfully flew for seven minutes at an altitude of 50 meters over a 3.6-kilometer flight path over the Han River, passing above Yeouido, Seogang Bridge, Bamseom islet and Mapo Bridge.

The air taxi model is designed to carry a pilot and a passenger, but during the test flight, it carried four 20-kilogram sacks of rice instead of actual people due to safety concerns.

The drone has eight propellers for vertical takeoff and landing, and can travel from Incheon International Airport to Yeouido in 20 minutes at a maximum speed of 130 kilometers per hour.

Urban air mobility, including air taxis, has gained attention as a possible solution to traffic problems in large cities, and the city government plans to use the test flight for momentum for Seoul to lead in the sector, with the central government planning to commercialize the service by 2025.

The city plans to increase public interest by conducting additional test flights in other regions next year including Daegu and Jeju Island, which also expressed interest in air mobility. Seoul has also been preparing for more test flights, including the Seoul Smart Mobility Expo which is scheduled to be held in June next year.

The Seoul Metropolitan Fire and Disaster Headquarters also plans to obtain special permission from the transport ministry to use its existing drones for rescue activities by 2023. Drone flight training is also planned for firefighting helicopter pilots, according to the city.

"The urban air mobility services are drawing keen attention as an option to alleviate ground traffic congestion, and it has unlimited potential as a future growth engine," Acting Mayor Seo Jeong-hyup said. "We will spare no efforts or investments to help the services become a part of Seoul citizens' lives."

The transport ministry said this test flight and those in the future will help the country prepare safety standards for drone taxis and prepare necessary rules for commercialization of the service.

Along with the test flight, an exhibition for drone taxi models was held at Yeouido Hangang Park. Seven domestic and foreign companies such as Hyundai Motor and Hanwha Systems and universities participated.

ejb@koreatimes.co.kr