Coming soon; The Jetsons

[Timbuk2]

Dubai announces passenger drone plans

A drone that can carry people will begin "regular operations" in Dubai from July, the head of the city's Roads and Transportation Agency has announced at the World Government Summit.

The Chinese model eHang 184 has already had test flights, said Matt al-Tayer.

The drone can carry one passenger weighing up to 100 kg (220 pounds) and has a 30 minute flight time.

The passenger uses a touch screen to select a destination. There are no other controls inside the craft.

It is "auto-piloted" by a command centre, according to a video released by the government agency.

It has reported speeds of up to 100 miles per hour (160 kilometres per hour) and can fly 31 miles (50km) on a single battery charge.

"This is not only a model," Mr al-Tayer, according to a report by the Associated Press.

"We have actually experimented with this vehicle flying in Dubai's skies."

The device was also approved for testing in Nevada in June 2016.

Dr Steve Wright, senior lecturer in avionics and aircraft systems at the University of the West of England, told the BBC that safety would have to be paramount.

"The way these systems work, making them work normally is easy. The tricky bit is making systems that are resilient to failure," he said.

"I would like to see the drone flying for at least 1000 hours before I saw a human in it."

Dr Wright added that he would not be volunteering for an early flight.

"I'd have to be taken on board kicking and screaming."

Last month Israeli firm Urban Aeronautics announced that its Cormorant passenger drone - designed for military use - could be in use by 2020.

The $14m (£11m) drone can carry 500kg (1,100lb) at 185km/h (115mph).

Viable, tested, flying people-carrying drone, months away from live runs.

I think this is fantastic. Has come about much sooner than I'd thought possible.

Competition will shortly follow, with alternatives and options, and economic viability for increasing numbers of people.

How soon will these and similar AVs be the norm?

[RandBlade]

While interesting in theory and certainly a leap forward we'd need to be able to get the cost down from the tens of millions to the tens of thousands - and the capacity increased from one passenger to a family size 4 or 5 - before I'd expect to see these potentially being "the norm".

[Ominous Gamer]

This is the future of uber. A fleet of these in a city has the potential to take a huge chunk out of ground traffic.