DUBAI: Dubai has edged closer to its goal of launching a pioneering hover-taxi service, with the authorities announcing a successful "concept" flight was made on Monday without passengers.
Safety features for the two-seater air taxi include emergency parachutes and nine independent battery systems, according to Dubai´s Road and Transport Authority (RTA).
It said the prototype, supplied by Germany-based Volocopter, can fly for 30 minutes at a maximum speed of 100 kilometres per hour (62mph).
The RTA envisions that the hover-taxi will eventually be integrated into the city´s existing public transport network, which includes a metro system, tramway and buses.
Passengers would be able to book their "autonomous air taxi" and track its arrival and route using an app.
Authorities anticipate five years of testing to put in place safety procedures and legislation governing the cutting-edge mode of transportation.
Home to Burj Khalifa, currently the world´s tallest tower, Dubai is a leading tourist destination in the Gulf, attracting a record 14.9 million visitors last year.
Yaccarino says it is her decision, though Musk has a history of dismissing deputies suddenly
Change is expected to impact how 170m US users access global content, how non-US creators make money on the platform
Newly found fossils 209m years old and include at least 16 vertebrate species, seven of them previously unknown
X's statement contradicts India's claim that no Indian govt agency ordered Reuters accounts withheld, says Reuters
All tech giants now offer miniature versions with fewer parameters of their respective large language models
Glaciers tend to suppress volume of eruptions from volcanoes beneath them, says researcher
