The Chinese company announced an agreement with AirX for the acquisition of 50 units of the EH216, its autonomous aerial vehicle (AAV). AirX specializes in the development of digital air mobility platforms in Japan. This order represents, so far, the largest ever placed for the EHang from the neighboring country.
The aircraft developed by EHang is an eVTOL type – electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle – that operates without the need of crew members, i.e. autonomously, connected in real-time with a control center.
“Superior to the traditional manned aircraft, EHang AAV’s technology design concept follows three philosophies: full redundancy to ensure safety, autonomous pilot, and centralized control from the intelligent command and control center. This eco-friendly and intelligent low-altitude autonomous passenger air vehicle provides a short- and medium-distance transportation solution for the intelligent transportation of the future,” the company claims.
The EH216 can carry a payload of up to 230 kg for about 35 km at a speed of 130 kilometers per hour. The batteries used for its propulsion, according to EHang, can be fully charged in two hours.
Huazhi Hu, founder, Chairman, and CEO of EHang, said, “Our partnership with AirX marks a key milestone for us to further explore and develop the UAM market in Japan. We are delighted to see that an increasing number of air transport partners are introducing EHang’s safe, autonomous and sustainable urban air mobility solutions to the general public.”
Meanwhile, Tezuka Kiwamu, founder and CEO of AirX, said, “The low-altitude transportation and tourism market has great potential and broad prospects. By leveraging the advantages of autonomous flight technologies and centralized management, EH216 AAVs can provide customers with cost-effective air services, which is why AirX selects EHang as a partner in the global eVTOL market. We look forward to offering consumers safer and more convenient travel options with the EH216 in the future.”
This agreement will boost the development of urban air mobility in Japan, with a focus on safe operations and sustainable operations. With this acquisition, AirX will seek to provide air cab services with these aircraft within the framework of the World Expo 2025, which will be held in Osaka and is organized by the Bureau International des Expositions.
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