The Chinese-built Ehang 216 is working to launch autonomous taxis, and this is the foundation for the company’s filing for a $100 million public offering on Nasdaq. The funds will be used to begin an autonomous flying taxi service using the company’s two-passenger autonomous aerial vehicle or AAV, in Guangzhou, China.
Chinese regulators have granted Ehang authority to begin an air taxi service in Guangzhou. Ehang will also work with the local government to develop an “air traffic control center” to manage the “autonomous aerial vehicles.” In addition to passengers, Ehang expects to use the AAVs for delivery of medical supplies and other critical medical flights.
It appears that Ehang has set its sights on being the “first to market” with an operational air taxi service, but it can expect “stiff competition” from numerous drone manufacturers, aerospace companies, and maybe an auto manufacturer or two.