EHang has teamed up with LN Holdings, a Shenzhen-listed tourism platform company, to further commercialize its AAVs by integrating Urban Air Mobility (“UAM”) solutions into the latter’s hotel. The LN Garden Hotel in the Chinese city of Nansha will become a kind of “testing ground” where the break-in of this unusual idea will take place.
According to the agreement that is signed by EHang and LN Group executives, EHang 216 model air taxies will take off and land directly on the roof of the hotel. The hotel guests will be able to experience one-stop intelligent AAV services, including the unique aerial sightseeing, convenient and autonomous air deliveries, and high-tech aerial light shows. The program will promote the innovative integration of aerial sightseeing, traveler transportation, air logistics, aerial media light shows, intelligent exhibitions, and education.
The collaboration intends to set an example for integrated operation of air mobility solutions in the tourism industry, while also contributing to establishing Guangzhou as China’s first and the world’s leading UAM smart city and shaping the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to be the best place to live, work and travel.
The 216 EHang autonomous aircraft has two passenger capsules surrounded by eight rods, each of which has two rotors. The maximum declared speed of an electric air taxi is 130 km/h (81 mph) with a maximum flight time of 21 minutes.
According to EHang CEO Hu Huazi, the deal is not limited to one hotel. Partnership with LN Holdings should be a pilot project that will popularize electric aero-tourism and spread it around the world. In addition to the air-themed hotel, EHang has also approved the construction of the world’s first airport taxi later this year in Guangxi.
