Israel tests Chinese drone taxi over Jerusalem
- The autonomous aircraft, which can fly over 35km and has two passenger seats, is part of an experiment to ease traffic congestion
- Israel has conducted more than 20,000 test flights of drones of different sizes, but the latest flight was the first carried out in front of the media
03:02
Israel tests Chinese drone taxi over Jerusalem to help ease country’s traffic congestion
An air taxi flew over Jerusalem on Wednesday as part of an Israeli experiment to develop a network of drones to offer transport services and ease traffic congestion.
The aircraft, manufactured by a Chinese company, took off from the premises of Hadassah hospital in the city for a few minutes with its two passenger seats empty.
The electric-powered autonomous aircraft with white cockpit and propellers is capable of flying for more than 35km (over 20 miles), according to organisers of the showcase.
“What you see here is an air taxi that in the future will be able to carry people from place to place,” said Daniella Partem, senior director at Israel Innovation Authority.
Since 2019, Israel has been engaged in a high-profile programme known as Israel National Drone Initiative which aims to build air taxis to carry passengers and cargo in a bid to ease persistent traffic woes.
Israel has conducted more than 20,000 test flights of drones of different sizes, but Wednesday’s experiment was the first in front of the media.
