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A passenger drone is a type of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that carries passengers. The first passenger drone was introduced at the Computer Electronics Show (CES) 2016 by Chinese entrepreneurs and is called the Ehang 184.
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Overview
The use of UAVs, or drones, has been popular in recent years. Once used primarily for recreation via remote control airplanes, drones are now used in military operations and for conducting research. Recently, commercial companies have explored using drones for the transport of merchandise. In January 2016, the first drone capable of carrying human cargo was introduced by Chinese entrepreneurs at CES 2016.
History
Drones have been around since the beginning of the 20th century. While popular in recreational settings though the use of remote control airplanes in the 1970s and 1980s, drones gained in popularity during military war campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan. Preceding the Ehang 1841 passenger drone, there were many concepts developed surrounding flight as a primary means of human transportation. The Aeromobil flying car concept of the early 1990s, Terrafugia flying vehicle concept of 2006, and personal jetpack introduced in the 1960s are steered by a man riding in it and are not drones, but can be treated as precursors to the flying passenger drone of today.
Future use of passenger drones
The future of passenger drones is uncertain since this technology is so new. Passenger drones may be used to carry soldiers into battle. Alternatively, they may also be used to do harm by terrorists or nation states wanting to advance their agenda.
