Dubai's flying drone taxi service is lifting off | Engadget Today

The autonomous passenger drone service would be the first in the world
Dubai was serious when it said it wants to be first in the world to offer a flying taxi service. That's why on Monday, it staged a maiden test flight for one of its potential taxis: a two-seater, 18-rotor unmanned flying vehicle made by German firm Volocopter, which is backed by fellow German company Daimler. The automated vehicle, which lifts and lands vertically like a helicopter, whisked Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed away for a five-minute flight 200 meters above a patch of sand.
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[@ptwo3768]

People: this is so cool... Helicopters: am I a joke to you?!

[@survun2440]

Helicopter : oh i have a son now.

[@user-wd2ch1jd7r]

Ohhhh i was about to say that

[@francobarberis3126]

Way better than a helicopter. If you lose power in a helicopter you drop straight down. These things have independent engines. And parachutes.

[@thelazypotato7817]

@@francobarberis3126 Helicopters use rotors not propellers which can orientate itself unlike a propeller to glide safely to the ground helicopters won't just drop like a Rock if the engine dies it called collective pitch

[@MatthiasLenardt]

Wonderful machine ... I like it. Good idea!

[@bbenjoe]

Many years from now people will calmly smile on this currently pioneer technology.

[@irfanpathan-qy7rr]

New technology with less chance of failure and high quality controlled speed and great performance on board with multiple choice and amazing features

[@antonv.]

Cool

[@dead7781]

I have a friend who lived there a while. He said it wasn't that expensive actually. I live in Sweden and the normal car taxis here are more expensive apparently.

[@Harry-fz3dk]

And here I am with a bike I built from scratch

[@unclemarky3]

alo lindo video espero que continuen haciendo videos similares¡¡¡!!! Voy a continuar mirando sus creaciones. Les mando un abrazo nos estamos viendo 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[@masonmcdixon9294]

most besome hell of big parking spaces

[@SirShoddrick]

Is there a parachute on the fuselage? Parachutes inside are visceral What happens when the engines lose power?

[@MaloneMantooth]

It lifts and lands exactly like a helicopter, bit it's not a helicopter. Lol 😂. One of those 18 rotors breaks.....down they go.

[@winfriedwilcke1705]

No. Several props can fail and it will still fly.

[@humble_integrity]

its been 7 years, where is it???

[@basilandrea6840]

Good idea, they can create a station based on tower and helipad, and virtual path, to each station, under each tower a car park, people can drop their car take the taxi and come back since it electrically operates the operation cost will be cheap. this can be a other public transportation.

[@saravanamini]

Nice ❤

[@bigsailboatproject]

I can't see it happening just based on the numbers. Sky management would be an astronomical feat and only 1 accident would ground everything forever

[@martinpavlicek2299]

Actually sky management could be considered somewhat easier than road management since there is plenty of space in the air. Those drones are going to be driven mostly automaticaly. They mainly need to learn to land and fly of and also what to did in crysis.

[@corcon6976]

You'll need to be much higher up for those chutes to matter.

[@RaofKGN]

Looking forward for waiting for taxing in the air. Dubai rocks.

[@josephmalkom2902]

It actually does not rock o it will fell liek a rock inm that aspect I will accpet

[@gj9157]

Raof KGN You mean a small helicopter? That's what it really is, nothing impressive.

[@Miyakolover]

More like "The West/East Asia rocks" since this technology wasn't made in the UAE.

[@saladdressing2923]

It doesn’t.

[@qqqppp97]

Beautiful!!! Drone

[@rohangracias1866]

Reminds me of Jetsons 😋

[@johnattincan4190]

It just looks cool

[@JoeDoeOutdoors]

Hii great channel ☺ Keep it up!

[@Z3r0XoL]

Gps for now? Is there more advanced location tech on the way?

[@psnKnowledge]

Yes, autonomous/Ai. Vs just a linear path with some safety sensors.

[@Katzelle3]

DGPS gives you centimeter level precision.

[@jimijackson]

Id wait for 2.0

[@randybeard6040]

How Many Motors can Fail and still Fly???

[@tapansaha202]

wonderful

[@aryoonmusic]

Let's be honest. Only people from Dubai would be able to afford this 😂

[@hamud350]

Aryan Yadav yup I am from it

[@Ai-Galaxy-GS]

Let's be honest, I wouldn't trust that thing anyway.

[@aryoonmusic]

AiGalaxyS right on 😂

[@owatthorne2538]

lets be honest, i know you will ride on it in the future

[@aryoonmusic]

I dint expect this to be a "let's be honest" thread but carry on lol

[@harry5933]

Claro que nós gostamos , não polui o planeta e é +rápido....

[@gregorywilson3951]

Tough luck. I pray ahead of time.

[@althinanibabu5973]

Wonder sir.

[@Karim-en9on]

Best zabadat

[@hamud350]

This is normal in Dubai

[@bksbks3159]

It doesn't show him in it in the air

[@tomsmith5456]

You can’t stop progress, one day these things will be like model T Fords ...But I won’t be around then .

[@KabooM1067]

It's just a helicopter with extra steps... 😂😂😂

[@salih-khan]

I’ll support you if you can make one

[@ThoNguyenTattoo]

good

[@ottjetilburg6756]

Wie is hier ook na het artikel van Brian P

[@LLubdeRr]

It looks like a joke now, but in 10-15 years, this will be normal in the biggest citys where it takes you up to 2 hours from central to airport by a normal capdrive.

[@GeorgFranzGeorg-Franz]

Only they can afford something like that !!!!

[@saintlikegrimm]

That's a babycopter.!!!

[@surefmeurope5766]

This is all way over my head. Tahahahaha😂

[@nicodacher4294]

Good

[@dzmalekvali1110]

Same as choper

[@bebehasbebehas2287]

almosst every drone I see doesn't have a protective cage for its propeller/fans. Mincing machines.

[@mickcarson8504]

Because they're a bunch of brain dead imbeciles who disregard safety. I hope they will get their heads chopped off.

[@Ariezzable]

Its quite safety, I watched dji can survive in bad situation, check Chinese video who did the experiment.

[@rgsclassicmusiccafe]

Air Taxi concept..

[@stephenguy5407]

A drone is an 'unmanned' aircraft by definition - they've been around since WWII. If it carries a man, it's not a drone.

[@roberttaito7571]

Please look up the definition of "unmanned"

[@mickcarson8504]

And 'drone' is a word, not a name either. Those poorly educated dicks of WW2 had no idea wtf they're talking about.

[@user-sg5yn4df5z]

The vahana is cheaper than this, Dubai flying vehicle may be present though.

[@rgsclassicmusiccafe]

Air Taxi concept...

[@ih8snow415]

this is just a mini helicopter right !

[@mickcarson8504]

Helicopter is a single main rotor aircraft. Quadcopter is a 4 rotor modified helicopter, but cannot be called a helicopter because heli means 'ali' (wing) and it's the meaning of single main rotating wing. A Quadcopter was named Quad because of four rotor blades, and 'copter' because it still flies like a helicopter in principles, e.g. it takes off vertically, hovers still and flies in all direction exactly like a helicopter. But to call it a drone, that is the mentality of all these ignorant, poorly educated, low IQ illiterate sheep who have no idea wtf they're talking about. If 'drone' is a name (according to all these brain dead ignorant retards), then does that mean that 'droning' and 'droned' (which are the participles of 'drone') are also names? Can you call this aircraft 'droned' or 'droning'? No. Why? Because they're word. So, they're words, right? But 'drone' is not a word? See? It just doesn't make any sense. These nutcases who use a word to call a Quadcopter are simply mentally damaged ignorant sheep who have no clue on wtf they're talking about. They are certainly like sheep with the mental capacity of a child. So, what other sheep do or say, the sheep follow. So, I have to say, DRONE MY ASS!

[@CaptPatrick01]

Didn't a french postcard artist from the 1900s predict something like this happening?

[@Cyberslug1]

You didn't even mention the inventor of this segment and the closes to getting there copter certified for flight use AND was at CES 3 years in a row, WTF. Do your research !!!

[@robertyu7341]

I still have not seen any drone take off with a real person (load) and land, not even for a 20 feet in the air

[@AkshayShinde_143]

Why don't we call it helicopter 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@couchrider6228]

What’s its point ?

[@bahrowiq]

nice 1

[@PabloGonzalez-hv3td]

The general public is freaking out over MCAS but I'm supposed to believe one day we'll all be cool with riding/living under swarms of completely autonomous aircraft with even less redundancies 🤣👍🏾

[@Darin-USMCB--]

It didn’t flip, as she said, Not saying it can’t ,

[@Miyakolover]

So what? Did they actually develop any of the technology that comes with this or they just bought it with money?

[@seanhardman1964]

What happened with this

[@user-cb3wf1bh8z]

👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@Grubetticz]

Uber has one

[@tboyvo2669]

Well just only 5 minus "gasoline engine better..👍👍

[@coolmakerskshabber8066]

Super Dubai

[@XIPHIASCDXX]

The US imports oil from UAE but they don't buy anything back from us, if not for world oil-dependency/addiction they would still be desert nomads living in tents. It's like people who win money by chance and then spend it in strange ways...

[@bobsullivan5714]

They don't buy anything back from us? Are you serious? They own most of our politicians!

[@josephmalkom2902]

Dubai have litle Oil - not even 10th producers - Dubai money comes from bypassing our sanctions against Iran - selling drungs and alcohol to Saudi and prostitution and lot of loans from USA

[@slowknife2873]

Jealous?? 😂

[@josephmalkom2902]

Believe me UAE locals are still nomads living in tents made of concrete materials - these locals are so lazy and useless that even their GED is bought from foreign countries - fly there and walk down Bur Dubai for 10 minutes to see poverty, filthy living, massive prostitution (Cyclone) and every Friday see huge number of Muslim Saudis crowd these brothels - no mater what they do it wont change the fact that UAE is never going to be Europe

[@krishvignesh5898]

@@josephmalkom2902 all wrong sorry, dont insult uae again

[@dr.wazihahmad8274]

Like first gen computers

[@gj9157]

"Like a helicopter", because it is a helicopter..

[@JoyEze-gp5xn]

Am making one but not that easy

[@did3d523]

I dont think emir want dead in this prototype

[@ermdzakir4334]

200 million by 2050 ...... Alhamdulillah Inshallah.....By God Allah Will Guidance Grace and Blessings...... Alhamdulillah Inshallah......

[@burns83]

Terrible. The propellers are supposed to be under the cabin

[@ALfood3231]

How easy to hack it hm? you lying to your selves first crush, lawsuit, and shot down 😂

[@joey1413]

its a government company they have billions of money

[@hamidtrk58]

They hade desert drones in the past.

[@elicrowleyycontreras1135]

Singapore is rivaling them.

[@jackie-sh5of]

Looks like a helicopter 🚁

[@bichuribundi7869]

Does it need the radar And how much feet does it does it go for it to pick the radar from the airport Because 200meters above see level I don't think so it can work, Be aware of air traffic control systems as well, you should come clear on these for safety reasons

[@bichuribundi7869]

And the radar perfectly picks at 10000-20000feet Above see level

[@MrSalimuniversal]

What's the difference between this and a conventional chopper??

[@jamesneilsongrahamloveinth1301]

It promises to be quieter, I guess. Besides, a conventional helicopter relies on a complex mechanical drive train - this vehicle looks to be simpler mechanically. The Achilles heel may be the complex electronics - failure could be catastrophic, but I suppose you could say that about any airplane . . .

[@sjmemecollection257]

We the people of india can't afford a car even...😂

[@arandombard1197]

So....... it's a helicopter?

[@SimpleSQY]

To be honest, 3 general questions which can lead to sub-questions such as how much it cost compare to current taxi or helicopter etc.. 1) Safety 2) Affordability 3) Profitability

[@samtyification]

Just call it a helicopter.

[@KerryDavis]

FIRST! ...yep still real pointless.

[@Arj1209]

Kerry Davis but don’t you feel like you’ve won the internet now?

[@ugotserved911]

Kerry Davis the point is ....Muslim money

[@KerryDavis]

ha NOPE

[@mitpatel1588]

It can be pointer in money power

[@Johnny.1994]

In 2040 common people may be able to afford this....

[@mickcarson8504]

Yea, sure, sure. Watch them falling out of the sky and hitting houses, just like the shit drivers who crash every day.

[@tyronenivava]

largest city in the emirates ???? do your research well

[@tomstiekema5586]

Isn't this pretty much a helicopter

[@masteranimation2008]

TomTheBeast Yup, drones are basically helicopters with multiple blades. Whoopdidoo.

[@angrywolf4337]

I am the driver to deliver this volocopter for RTA by DANZAS

[@yacahumax1431]

I want my flying taxi NOW. No more smelly farts, canceled flights, suicidal pilots, 4 hours in the airport just waiting to get in, terrorist plot, airplane crashes, airline abuses, etc etc etc Please bring the personal VTOL NOW.

[@bebehasbebehas2287]

and then every trrist will have better access to mincing machines to eradicate you.

[@athletesanimesignaturemove3968]

It's helicopter

[@brmillgr]

the way of the future, the way of the future, the way of the future, the way of the future

[@abeera.5940]

Ummmm the largest city in the uae 🇦🇪 is abu dhabi 😐😐😐

[@newjerseylion4804]

Can’t people take the metro instead. It would be more affordable than this flying taxi

[@squiddy0520]

So it's basically a helicopter but with no pilot

[@josephmalkom2902]

it is a toy with bigger propellers

[@brent4770]

How is this different from a helicopter?

[@muhammadhasan255]

Brent Arnold It's not noisy

[@josephmalkom2902]

it is less secure - less stable I will call it crap coffin

[@gj9157]

It's not, it's just a bad excuse for a real flying car.

[@jamesneilsongrahamloveinth1301]

Joseph mALKOM, I can't imagine anything more unstable than a conventional helicopter which needs a tail rotor to counter the spinning moment of the main rotor . . .

[@agusgunawan6113]

Lilium

[@Mirsab]

DUBAI is not the biggest in UAE, Abu Dhabi is, in fact Abu Dhabi is so big it's bigger than the rest of UAE combined!

[@josephmalkom2902]

and is it the worst part of the country -

[@thearabianwolf3996]

If it made in Germany or Japan!! I will be the first one who flies on that Japanese and Germans are ruling the creativity

[@Noor-qb6me]

dronocopter

[@B-max.]

I don't get it, at that size and passenger capacity, why would you make it a drone instead of a regular small helicopter? The helicopter design should be way more energy efficient, more mobile and offer more or less the same experience. This seems like a gimmicky tourist attraction.

[@Darkest_matter]

@rizphotosqa on instagram lol

[@SaltVinegar2010]

@rizphotosqa on instagram It needs to be made out of gold if it's in Dubai too 😂😂😂😂😂

[@ugotserved911]

Bmax the point is...Muslim money

[@josephmalkom2902]

and finally a smart man seas behind the smoking mirror ! yes you are 100% right this is just a crap marketing from the crappy Dubai government

[@gerardogumba7713]

Strongly agree. That's my immediate reaction also. Better to stick to an improvized helicopter.

[@neodiy]

Someone with drone gun could quietly bring down the drone with ill intention

[@billbobaggins5309]

CAN I TAKE A AIR TAXI TO A BEHEADING?

[@josephmalkom2902]

ha ha well said Bill - perfectly put - UAE and its master saudi are the be headers

[@rhythmwithin2386]

Get your facts right! Dubai isn't the largest city in UAE. It's Abu Dhabi

[@antonyho2]

Errr...what's the difference with helicopters? With that much wealth, they can fly better with a helicopter 🤣