Israel: EHang 216 AAV Flies Over Jerusalem For First Time
An EHang 216 Passenger Autonomous Aerial Vehicle (AAV) flew over Jerusalem, Israel, for the first time under the guidance of operator Dronery, a subsidiary of Israeli drone delivery fleet operator Cando Drones, reports timesofisrael.com. The trial took place last week where the eVTOL took off from Jerusalem’s Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital.
During the demonstration, which is part of a NIS 60 million (USD15.7 million) two-year government-led pilot project, also known as the Israel National Drone Initiative (INDI), the AAV flew over the hills of the city and landed back at the medical centre after less than half an hour.
The article explains, “The aim of the project is to fly passengers and heavy cargo from one place to another and relieve traffic congestion on Israel’s busy roads by using drones, as well as provide commercial and public services, in particular in life-saving missions in emergency scenarios such as earthquakes with mass casualties, and for urgent medical supplies and tests.”
Daniella Partem, Senior Director at the Israel Innovation Authority, commented, “What we’re looking at here is how Israel’s National Drone Initiative is expanding its scope to move beyond transporting packages to transporting human beings. We are looking to improve the economic viability of this model and advance connectivity in urban areas and further afield around the world.”
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INDI was established in 2019 to create a national drone network to lay the groundwork for drone deliveries across Israel, together with regulators and private companies. Launched in June, as part of the second phase, 11 drone operating and delivery companies are involved in tests and experimental flights across Israel.
A Tweet From June
The initiative is a collaboration between government entities led by the Transportation Ministry, the Israel Innovation Authority, Ayalon Highways Ltd and the Civil Aviation Authority of Israel (CAAI).
The autonomous EH216 aircraft can carry a total of up to 551 lbs flying a distance of some 18 miles, using its intelligent command-and-control system. The test flight included real-time video transmission to control centres and emergency response teams.
Yoeli Or, CEO of Cando, remarked, “Flying the aerial taxi within an urban area as complex as the Hadassah Medical Centre is a practical realisation of the Transportation Ministry’s belief in smart transportation.” He continued, “Cando and Dronery are the first in Israel to bring and fly heavy drones capable of flying significant distances and carrying over 200 kilograms.” Adding, “This is a breakthrough.”
Yoeli Or Next to an EHang Firefighting AAV
During a trial in June, the Pardes Hanna-based startup, AIR, flew its AIR ONE eVTOL two-seater aircraft, which can carry a total payload of up to 485 lbs for a distance of up to 99.4 miles. It has collapsible wings for easy parking and can take off from or land on any flat surface and is suitable as an everyday alternative for short-distance commuting in the sky.
Other Israeli companies involved in the INDI project are Airwayz Drones, a provider of AI-based systems for the smart management of drone fleets; High Lander, a developer of an uncrewed traffic management system (UTM) for drones; and Robotican, a developer of ground and air-based mobile autonomous robotic systems.
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(News Source: www.timesofisrael.com)
(Images: Dronery)
