Is this the first passenger drone?  Ehang 184 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2017, 08:10:43 pm
content: I do not think so but interesting: (check out the control room)

author: taydin
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2017, 10:29:32 pm
content: I like the redundancy of having two propellers at each arm (assuming they are driven by separate motors of course)

author: ebastler
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2017, 10:38:12 pm
content: Quote from: taydin on December 30, 2017, 10:29:32 pmOn the other hand, I don't like the location of those propellers, and the apparent lack of safeguards. Better trust the autonomous control electronics when you approach or leave that aircraft...I was disappointed that they did not use it to actually transport a passenger in the video. Isn't Ehang the same company which has been testing thier drone in Nevada since 2016, and had announced tests with autonomous air taxis in Dubai this summer?

author: Electro Detective
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2017, 10:40:36 pm
content: Target practice and free gifts if they buzz over the back yard during barbeque/booze up festivities...

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2017, 11:12:33 pm
content: Quote from: ebastler on December 30, 2017, 10:38:12 pmYes

author: taydin
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2017, 11:54:53 pm
content: Quote from: ebastler on December 30, 2017, 10:38:12 pmI would have designed in a "fully manual mode" with a joystick. If the autopilot acts fishy, just take over controlOf course this would then make not suitable for taxi service

author: tpowell1830
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 31, 2017, 12:01:07 am
content: Aren't drones, by definition, unmanned?

author: Yansi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 31, 2017, 12:08:27 am
content: tpowell1830: You may be onto somethingI am sure this is not the first. Have seen a lot of diy passenger drones or helicopters on youtube before. Just look them up. Some of them are quite awesome.

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 31, 2017, 12:36:24 am
content: Quote from: blueskull on December 30, 2017, 11:21:43 pmWhen I started watching I thought they were lucky because they probably had few regulations but later in the video they talk about regulators. Also no person on board and I am sure it did not leave the property. I wonder if they have regulations based on the death of one of the developers. Overall I liked the video and the people in it. I assume they are professional video guys.blueskull do you think the building in the background is private? Nice house if so.

author: tpowell1830
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 31, 2017, 05:21:24 am
content: I thought it hilarious when, the big launch was about to happen so, they brought out "the pilot", obviously a programmer, with his laptop to launch the craft.Actually, this vehicle has been in the works and actually flying for awhile now, just no passengers (in their videos). Ez24, did you say one of the developers died?The German Volocopter is the one in Dubai.EDIT: Added Volocopter.

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 31, 2017, 05:47:12 am
content: Quote from: tpowell1830 on December 31, 2017, 05:21:24 amIf you listen carefully the company guy mentions this, I think he said "co-developer". They were talking about safety.I saw the Velo after I posted and my guess it is the first passenger drone

author: ebastler
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 31, 2017, 06:21:03 am
content: Quote from: tpowell1830 on December 31, 2017, 05:21:24 amThanks for the reference. It seems that Dubai tested both systems this year (or at least announced they would do so), the Volocopter and the Ehang:

author: ebastler
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 31, 2017, 06:27:43 am
content: Quote from: blueskull on December 30, 2017, 11:21:43 pmI am aware that passenger transports are heavily regulated (and find that fact quite reassuring!). Hence my reference to Ehang's track record of testing internationally. But it seems that they are not yet ready to transport people.

author: taydin
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 31, 2017, 10:13:01 am
content: Quote from: tpowell1830 on December 31, 2017, 12:01:07 amYes, I think so. But nothing stops you from coming up with a manned craft and a new definition for it

author: taydin
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 31, 2017, 10:15:56 am
content: This is most likely not ready to transport people and probably won't be for quite some time. But just like race car enthusiasts are allowed to do all kinds of extreme things on a race track, this thing can be used on a designated area with people taking the risk. And depending on the affordability, I think lots of people would sign up for this.

author: beanflying
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 31, 2017, 10:37:27 am
content: Do the numbers kids. LiPo and Brushless Technology is never going to do this job let alone the moron in charge crashing it.

author: Yansi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 31, 2017, 10:54:29 am
content: Why bullshit... a nice project to get some funds from the government and sponsors... Don't be that jealous

author: beanflying
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 31, 2017, 11:45:50 am
content: Let's see some entire flights of the several proponents of the supposed technology, not lift up and down and hover for 60 seconds.Rough numbers based on a lot of 3-5kg electric R/C heli flying including drone and some deliberate low head speed endurance tests.3kg AUW with 770g of batteries is done at maximum 16 minutes with low head speed. Lets assume they use "magic" propellers and superior Brushless motors to gain 30%So 24 minutes as a possible flight envelope with maybe 15 minutes trajectory time at 100km/hr including up and down and a safety non death fudge for a 25km maximum range.100kg Fat rich occupant more likely 120kg50kg Airframe weight so no shell or protection of any sort50kg of batteries.This Build isn't going to get anywhere near Regulations!100kg Fat Bastard again150kg of Airframe minimal shell and still zero crash survival possibility.100kg of batteries.Still unlikely to get approval on safety grounds. Some Micro Helis exist now at 150kg but only carry 20kg of fuel and heavy restrictions.100kg fat bastard250kg Airframe150kg of BatteriesPotentially in the area where approval 'might' be possible.500kg of 100km/hr dead weight crashing from height into Surburbia because the 4g Nav system lost service

author: Zbig
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 01, 2018, 09:46:22 pm
content: Having fixed-pitch rotors, I can't see how the thing could be capable of an autorotation emergency landing. Once the power goes out it's game over.

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 01, 2018, 10:47:58 pm
content: Quote from: Zbig on January 01, 2018, 09:46:22 pmMy guess it is why they use dual rotors (and motors) and so far no people. They did not say so but my guess is when one motor goes out it goes down fast but controllable.

author: Zbig
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 01, 2018, 11:26:21 pm
content: Quote from: ez24 on January 01, 2018, 10:47:58 pmI was thinking not so much a particular motor's failure as the complete cut of all electrical power. Unless everything (including batteries), is redundant, double motors won't help you much in such a case. The way autorotation works in all classic helicopters is, in case of a powerplant failure, the rotor gets quickly mechanically disengaged from the drivetrain (either by the pilot or automatically) and then the pilot applies negative collective pitch before the rotor stops spinning due to aerodynamic drag and stalls, effectively switching it from pushing the masses of air to being driven by them like a maple seed, keeping it spinning, slowing down the descent. Then, just before the impact, the pilot is able to use the kinetic energy stored in the spinning (now passively) rotor and once again apply the positive pitch, creating the much needed "cushion" to land safely.You won't be able to pull this trick off with a fixed-pitch rotor. For it to begin autorotating, it'd have to gradually slow down to the full stop, then start spinning and spool up in the opposite direction. You won't have the altitude (and thus time) needed for it in this drone thing.But your double-rotor comment got me thinking. Maybe the bottom ones are free-wheeling, non-driven, "passive" dummies that don't contribute in creating lift but actually waste energy by riding on the top one's downwash just to be already spinning in case of an emergency? But then, you'd still to have some control over them during the emergency descent...Scratch that nonsense. The rotational direction reversal issue would still apply in that case. Didn't think that through properly.EDIT:After all, they'll much more likely to just go for the parachute (for the whole aircraft) solution in the final, commercialized design.