Two years ago, Chinese drone maker Ehang came to CES in Las Vegas and promised to build a completely autonomous, passenger-carrying quadcopter that would revolutionize mobility. Many of us in the tech community chortled under our breath, wondering if such a thing was even possible, let alone advisable. Today, the company released footage of its first piloted test flights in China — and color us impressed: this thing is no joke. Ehang’s engineers put the quadcopter, dubbed the Ehang 184, through a battery of tests over the last several months, and with good measure. The company conducted over 1,000 test flights with human passengers, including a 984-foot (300-meter) vertical climb, a weight test carrying over 500 pounds (230 kilograms), a routed test flight covering 9.3 miles (15 kilometers), and a high-speed cruising test that reached 80.7 mph (130 km/h). Ehang’s engineers also tested the 184 in a variety of weather conditions, including high heat, heavy fog, night … [Read more...] about Ehang’s passenger-carrying drones look insanely impressive in first test flights
Drones
Boeing built a giant drone that can carry 500 pounds of cargo
Boeing today unveiled a giant drone that’s capable of lifting a 500 pound payload. Calling it an “unmanned electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL) cargo air vehicle (CAV) prototype,” the aerospace giant said it could serve as a precursor for future autonomous flying aircraft. The heavy-duty drone took Boeing’s engineers only three months to design and build, the company says. It successfully completed initial flight tests at Boeing’s research lab in Missouri. “This flying cargo air vehicle represents another major step in our Boeing eVTOL strategy,” said Boeing chief technology officer Greg Hyslop in a statement. “We have an opportunity to really change air travel and transport, and we’ll look back on this day as a major step in that journey.” Powered by an electric propulsion system, the CAV prototype is outfitted with eight rotors allowing for vertical flight. It measures 15 feet long (4.57 meters), 18 feet wide … [Read more...] about Boeing built a giant drone that can carry 500 pounds of cargo
The best drone you can buy right now
To find the best drone for you, first you’ll need to figure out what it is you want out of a flying camera. Are you an action sports junkie trying to capture your sick moves for a highlight reel? An aspiring cinematographer aiming to up your production values? Or a social media star hoping to supercharge your selfie game? There are great drones across a wide range of sizes and prices, and the best match depends on your answer. Okay, you say, but what if I’m not sure exactly what I want out of a drone? Well, if you are intrigued by the category and want to get a taste, we’ve picked the perfect starter drone, a unit that won’t break the bank, but can still deliver serious footage and range. Along with that, we’ve picked the best drone for amateur filmmakers and a unit that can satisfy all the needs of an outdoor athlete. This article will be continually updated as new drones are released and reviewed, so be sure to check back if you’re not buying a … [Read more...] about The best drone you can buy right now
Vodafone’s 4G RPS to boost drone tracking
Vodafone is developing the world’s first 4G-powered Radio Positioning System (RPS) that can help ease safety concerns associated with civilian drones and offer more accurate tracking of other Internet of Things (IoT) devices.The Newbury-based operator has been working with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in its mission to regulate the operations of drones, which are a risk to aircraft, and a possible tool for criminals and terrorists seeking to smuggle contraband and explosives.Commercial civilian drones are too small to be tracked by conventional radar and with research suggesting that drones will log 250 million flying hours over densely-populated areas of the EU every year by 2050 – more than normal aircraft.Vodafone 4G RPS“The Commission supports all trials aimed at realising our U-space vision for safe commercial drone operations in the EU – there is a growing network of demonstrations and projects across the EU,” declared Matthew Baldwin, … [Read more...] about Vodafone’s 4G RPS to boost drone tracking
Propel’s dogfighting Star Wars Drones require Jedi-level piloting skills
If you grew up watching Star Wars — and let’s face it, if you’re 50-years-old or younger, you did — at one time or another you probably fantasized about how cool it would be to fly an X-Wing, or a TIE Fighter, or perhaps the Millennium Falcon. These fictional vehicles are so ingrained in our collective western culture, it’s no wonder they’ve been brought to life again (and again) as models, action figures, video games, and LEGO. Oh the LEGO! But none of these incarnations have managed to combine an authentic appearance with the ability to actually fly. Spin Master came closest, but Propel’s new Star Wars Battle Drones have set the bar so high, it may be years before someone else even tries. The question is, did they do enough to please both Star Wars fans and drone enthusiasts, or are these just another set of mediocre Star Wars products? Read our Propel Star Wars Battle Drones review to find out if these are the drones you’re looking … [Read more...] about Propel’s dogfighting Star Wars Drones require Jedi-level piloting skills