CES 2016: World's 1st passenger drone unveiled by Chinese manufacturer

A Chinese drone maker has unveiled what it says is the world's first personal autonomous aerial vehicle (AAV) a drone capable of carrying a human passenger.

EHang Inc presented the drone at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on Wednesday.

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The EHang184 AAV is intended to be a low-altitude drone, flying short- to medium-distances.

"Due to the 184's fully automated navigation, made possible by EHang's 24/7, real-time flight command center, passengers have no need for a pilot's licence they simply sit back and let the drone take over from there," the company said in a news release.

The electric-powered drone stands 1.5 metres tall, weighs about 200 kilograms andcan carry up to 100 kilograms. The company says it is designed to be able to flya single passenger for 23 minutesat sea levelat anaverage cruising speed of 100 km/h.

The single passenger would be able to input commands on an attached tablet console. The cabin is equipped with air conditioner and Wi-Fiinternet.With propellers folded up, the drone isdesigned to fit in a single parking spot, EHang said.

The new realityofhuman passenger drones will certainly raise issues with regulatory bodies.

Just this week, Transport Canada said that the department will be implementing tougherregulations for drones, although passenger vehicles weren't mentioned.

Currently, Transport Canada's guidelines say drones should be flown at least nine kilometres away from airports, no higher than 90 metres above the ground and at least 150 metres away from people, buildings and vehicles.

The departmentcan issue fines of up to $25,000 for improper use ofa recreational drone, depending on the circumstances, such as whether a drone user is "wilfully violating airspace" or posing a threat to an aircraft trying to land.