Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is set to conduct trial run of its manned autonomous air taxi (AAT) which is capable of carrying two passengers, later this year.

The AAT, which is powered by electricity, will be operated by German group Volocopter, a specialist in the manufacturing of Autonomous Air Vehicles.

About 2m in height, these air taxi boasts a cruise speed of 50 km/h, and an airspeed of 100 km/h. The maximum flight time is approximately 30 minutes, said the statement from RTA.

The Authority said it has extended the test run of its manned autonomous air taxi (AAT) to meet all operational requirements of safety and security for these type of vehicles. The testing of the taxi will be gradually done in the fourth quarter of 2017, it added.

"The test run of the first Autonomous Air Taxi capable of carrying two passengers is in implementation of the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to transform Dubai into the smartest city worldwide," remarked Mattar Al Tayer, the director-general and chairman of the board of executive directors of RTA.

This also comes as part of the Authority's efforts to provide autonomous transportation by conducting the required technological tests of those vehicles under the climatic conditions of Dubai.

“The AAT is powered by electricity and has high safety features, thanks to its design comprising 18 rotors to ensure safe cruising and landing of the taxi in case of any rotor failure. The air taxi is characterized by its autopilot or autonomous flying, thus enabling the movement of people from place to another without human intervention or a need for flight license holder,” explained Al Tayer.

RTA, he stated, strives to provide the best autonomous aerial taxi transit system in Dubai in cooperation with flagship companies from around the world.

A delegation from RTA visited several autonomous air vehicle manufacturers, and the German Volocopter company was selected thanks to its compliance with the international safety and security standards, and passing the rigorous standards of the German Aviation Authority, which apply the highest safety and security in designing and operating aircrafts, said the top official.

In the final quarter of this year, the RTA will launch the trial run of the AAT, and the experimental phase is likely to continue, with the follow up of the issuance of the legislations required to operate such a kind of vehicles for about five years.

During the trial period, all aspects relating to the operation as well as security & safety of the autonomous aerial taxi will be verified and checked. The official operation hinges on the readiness of companies and the availability of legislations necessary for operating autonomous aerial vehicles,” explained Al Tayer.

The RTA is working with the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority to develop the legislative and operational guidelines, define specifications and standards applicable to operators in the emirate.

According to him, the operational and legislative structures will be the first-of-its-kind in the world. In co-ordination with its strategic partners and in the emirate, RTA will specify the air routes of journeys, take-off and landing points of these taxis as well as the logistics needed to ensure safe and smooth mobility of passengers.

RTA will forge additional partnerships with other manufacturers of autonomous air vehicles after ensuring their fulfilment of the specifications and standards of air safety approved in Dubai, he added.  

Al Tayrer pointed out that the AAT move echoes Dubai’s Smart Autonomous Mobility Strategy that seeks to transform a quarter of the total mobility journeys in Dubai into autonomous transport by 2030.

"Another objective is to enhance the integration between mass transit modes and people’s happiness by providing smooth, fast and innovative transit modes," he added.

On its key specifiations, the RTA chief said the AAT has a variety of unique features highlighted by top security and safety standards, and multiple redundancy in all critical components such as propellers, motors, power source, electronics and flight controls.

It is also fitted with a full aircraft emergency parachute, nine independent battery systems, battery quick-change & plug-in system, and fast battery charging time of 40 minutes, said Al Tayer.

The AAT is charcterised by luxurious interiors and leather seating for two persons. It is environment-friendly as it is powered by clean electricity, has very low noise, he added.-TradeArabia News Service