China-based EHang and the Spanish National Police are to trial the use of autonomous eVTOLs in emergency and security missions.
The autonomous version of the EHang 216 will be tested for its suitability in rescue and surveillance as part of the project, which also involves the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV) and will involve a series of trial flights.
Chief commissioner of the air vehicles unit of the Spanish National Police said, “Autonomous air vehicles hold the promise of significantly improving our capability in emergency and security missions, such as firefighting, accessing contaminated areas with nuclear, radiological, bacteriological or chemical risks, landing in confined areas, transporting material, and other police services that may require agile mobility.
“The application of autonomous air vehicle technology makes the Spanish National Police a vanguard among police using AAV technology nationally and internationally.”
Victoria Xiang, the CEO of EHang Spain said, “The application of autonomous air vehicles in emergency, national security matters and the fight against the pandemic is crucial and advantageous for the public sector.
“Autonomous, sustainable, and efficient mobility enables the authorities to execute their tasks in an environmentally friendly manner. EHang and the Spanish National Police will work jointly to leverage this cutting-edge technology to benefit citizens and society.”
Last month Ehang released video footage of its 216 aircraft flying autonomously for trials in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in China.
