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EHang
View on WikipediaGuangzhou EHang Intelligent Technology Co. Ltd. (Chinese: 广州亿航智能技术有限公司) is a company based in Guangzhou, China that develops and manufactures autonomous aerial vehicles (AAVs) and passenger AAVs[2][3] which have entered service in China for aerial cinematography, photography, emergency response, and survey missions.[4]
Key Information
History
[edit]EHang announced[5][6] the Ehang 184, introduced at the Consumer Electronics Show in January 2016, as the world's first AAV capable of carrying passengers.[7][8]
The company announced plans with Dubai's Road & Transportation Agency in 2017 to launch an autonomous flying-taxi service starting in the summer of 2017, but didn't succeed.[9][10] The company has also worked on a project with Nevada's Institute for Autonomous Systems for an AAV taxi that can transport a single passenger for up to 23 minutes with the EHang 184.[11]
In November 2018, an agreement was signed with the city of Lyon, France, to open a research center there. At the same time, a cooperation agreement was concluded with the Austrian aerospace group FACC to further develop, certify and produce for EHang in Europe as well.[12]
On December 12, 2019 EHang was listed on the NASDAQ with the symbol EH.[13] On March 18, 2020, EHang decided to go into a strategic partnership with Llíria, a Spanish city, using the marketing term urban air mobility. This includes tourism as well as logistics. The City Council and EHang will also work with the Spanish Aviation Safety and Security Agency. Llíria is the second city in Spain where EHang has an agreement.[14]
The EH216-S was approved for commercial flights in 2023. Approval was extended to unpiloted flights (limited to taking off and landing at the same vertiport) by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) in March 2025.[15]
Aircraft
[edit]Ghost
[edit]Ghost is a quadcopter developed by Ehang in a typical quadrotor layout with a pair of skids as landing gear. However, Ghost has an unusual feature: the rotors are mounted below the tips of the arms, instead of being mounted on top of the tips of the arms like most other multirotors. Ghost is mainly intended for aerial photography missions, and it is controlled by a smartphone. Its complete name is Ghost Intelligent Aerial Robot (Chinese: Ghost智能空中机器人; pinyin: Ghost zhìnéng kōngzhōng jīqìrén).[16]
Data from mobile geeks[17]
General characteristics
- Wingspan: 0.35 m (1 ft 2 in)
- Gross weight: 0.68 kg (1 lb)
- Propellers: 4-bladed
Performance
- Maximum speed: 60 km/h (37 mph, 32 kn)
- Endurance: 25 min
- Service ceiling: 914 m (2,999 ft)
- Rate of climb: 2.5 m/s (490 ft/min)
Hexacopter
[edit]Ehang Hexacopter is a UAV developed by Ehang and it has not yet been named. The existence of this hexacopter was revealed for the first time to the public when it made its public debut in August 2014 at TechCrunch Beijing.[18] The yet-to-be-named hexacopter is constructed of carbon fiber composite material with a pair of skids as landing gear. The arms of this hexacopter are curved, as opposed to the straight arms of most multi-rotors currently on the market. The hexacopter is controlled by laptop computer.[18]
Data from engadget[18]
General characteristics
- Capacity: 10 kg
- Propellers: 6-bladed
Performance
- Range: 5.0 km (3.1 mi, 2.7 nmi)
- Endurance: 30 - 40 min
EHang 184
[edit]| EHang 184 | |
|---|---|
| Passenger drone | |
| Role | Personal air vehicle PAV |
| National origin | China |
| Manufacturer | EHang |
| Designer | EHang Holdings Limited |
| First flight | 2016[5] |
| Introduction | 2014 |
| Status | Unknown |
| Primary user | China |
The EHang 184 is an autonomous passenger drone capable of reaching over 62 mph (100 km/h). EHang says it started carrying passengers in 2015 and since made 40 journeys till releasing footage in February 2018. In three years, more than 1,000 test flights were conducted, including some "violent" ones with dummies, in storm-force winds, in low visibility, at night and 1,000 ft (300 m) above the ground.[19] It has eight propellers on four arms and by July 2018, 30 to 40 single pilot EHang 184 have been built.[20]
Data from Electric VTOL News[21] and AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGY[22]
General characteristics
- Crew: None (self-piloted)
- Capacity: 1 passenger
- Length: 3.86 m (12 ft 8 in)
- Wingspan: 5.5 m (18 ft 1 in)
- Height: 1.44 m (4 ft 9 in)
- Propellers: 8 2-bladed fixed pitch
Performance
- Cruise speed: 130 km/h (81 mph, 70 kn)
- Range: 16 km (9.9 mi, 8.6 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 500 m (1,600 ft)
EHang 216
[edit]The 216 is a two-seater with 16 propellers in a coaxial double-baled design. It made over 1,000 manned flights by July 2018 and its maximum trip length was 8.8 km (5.5 miles).[20] It could fly 25 min for a range of 30–40 km (16–22 nmi). The aircraft is targeted for autonomous flying, to be monitored from an EHang or its customer command-and-control center. Austrian aerostructures supplier FACC AG partnered with EHang to certify and produce the aircraft in Europe, within simpler certification requirements for takeoff weights below 600 kg (1,320 lb).[23]
In October 2018, the CAAC approved initial passenger operations at specific locations to develop urban air taxis regulations. EHang began taking preorders since, for island-hopping and to a Chinese coastal resort for aerial sightseeing within their site. A 1 km (0.54 nmi) shuttle across the river of its home city of Guangzhou should avoid a 30 min drive due to traffic congestion on the downtown bridge. US biotechnology company United Therapeutics, manufacturing organs for human transplants, should test rapid automated delivery from laboratory to hospital by the end of 2019.[23]
In March 2020, the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority issued a permit for manned test and certification flights. It is the first such approval in Europe.[24]
On May 27, 2020, EHang obtained the world's first commercial pilot operation approval from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (“CAAC”) to use EHang 216 passenger-grade AAVs for air logistics purpose.[25] The EHang 216 received a special flight operations certificate (SFOC) from Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) for test flights in Québec, Canada.[26]
Ehang 216-S
[edit]Data from Electric VTOL News[27][15]
General characteristics
- Crew: Unpiloted
- Capacity: 2 passengers (260 kg)
- Length: 5.61 m (18 ft 5 in)
- Height: 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)
- Propellers: 16-bladed
Performance
- Maximum speed: 130 km/h (81 mph, 70 kn)
- Cruise speed: 100 km/h (62 mph, 54 kn)
- Minimum control speed: 70 km/h (43 mph, 38 kn)
- Range: 35 km (22 mi, 19 nmi)Uses 5G wireless connectivity to communicate. Maximum altitude: 9,843 ft (3,000 m).21-minute flight time. Charge time: ~2 hours. Payload: 485 lb (220 kg).
Firefighting
[edit]The EHang 216F is a version designed for aerial firefighting, particularly in high-rise buildings. It has a maximum flight altitude of 600 meters and can carry up to 150 liters of fire extinguishing agent. Equipped with a camera, it can independently locate fires.[28]
The pilotless aircraft navigates preset routes using 5G wireless connectivity to communicate with the command center. It can reach an altitude of 9,843 feet (3,000 meters), and its onboard batteries provide a range of 22 miles (35 kilometers) or a flight time of 21 minutes per charge. Recharging is reported to take approximately 2 hours. The payload capacity is said to be 485 pounds (220 kilograms). Passengers enter through gull-wing doors, and the eVTOL features fixed landing gear.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Index". EHang.com. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
- ^ "EHang Holdings Limited Rings the Opening Bell in Celebration of its IPO". Nasdaq.com. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
- ^ Nytha, Michael (12 December 2019). "Robo Air Taxi Maker EHang Ends Trading Debut Down a Penny". Bloomberg. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
- ^ Chen, Celia (29 August 2019). "Nerves, waiver, screaming, lift-off, joy: a two-minute test ride in a passenger drone from China's Ehang". Retrieved 22 December 2019.
- ^ a b Gruber, Ben. "World's first passenger drone unveiled at CES". Reuters.com. Retrieved 2019-12-13.
- ^ "First passenger drone makes its debut at CES". The Guardian. Associated Press. 7 January 2016.
- ^ "World's first passenger drone unveiled at CES". Reuters. 2016.
- ^ "First passenger drone makes its debut at CES". The Guardian. Associated Press. 7 January 2016.
- ^ "Chinese startups push into foreign markets". The Economist. Retrieved 2017-03-24.
- ^ "This MegaDrone Will Be a Self-Flying Air Taxi in Dubai This Summer". Fortune. Retrieved 2017-03-24.
- ^ "Drone Taxis? Nevada To Allow Testing Of Passenger Drone". NPR.org. Retrieved 2017-03-24.
- ^ "Ehang Grows in Europe". evtol.news. Archived from the original on 2019-07-12. Retrieved 2019-08-17.
- ^ "UAV maker EHang strikes out on Nasdaq". asiatimes.com. 2 January 2020. Retrieved 2020-03-20.
- ^ "EHang Partners with Llíria of Spain to Expand UAM Pilot City Initiative in Europe". ehang.com. Retrieved 2020-03-20.
- ^ a b Ridden, Paul (2025-04-01). "Pilotless air taxi gains approval for commercial flight operations". New Atlas. Retrieved 2025-04-08.
- ^ "Ghost quadcopter". Retrieved 2014-07-21.)
- ^ Nicole (2017-03-17). "Die Ehang Ghost Drone 2.0 VR im Test" (in German). Retrieved 2019-07-18.)
- ^ a b c "Hexadcopter". 2014-08-11. Retrieved 2014-08-11.
- ^ Michelle Toh and Jon Ostrower (2018-02-08). "People are now flying around in autonomous drones". CNN.
- ^ a b "EHang Makes More 184s and 216s". Electric VTOL News. 2018-07-01. Archived from the original on 2018-07-19. Retrieved 2018-07-19.
- ^ "EHANG Doubles its 184". evtol.news. Archived from the original on 2020-06-16. Retrieved 2019-08-17.
- ^ "EHANG Doubles its 184". aerospace-technology.com. Retrieved 2019-08-17.
- ^ a b Graham Warwick (Apr 12, 2019). "Ehang Trials Autonomous Passenger Flights Under Special Rules In China". Aviation Week & Space Technology.
- ^ Brian Garrett-Glaser (2020-03-06). "EHang Receives 'Operational Flight Permit' from Norway CAA". aviationtoday.com. Retrieved 2020-03-20.
- ^ "EHang | EHang Obtained World's First Commercial Pilot Operation Approval of Passenger-grade AAVs for Air Logistics Uses". www.ehang.com. Retrieved 2020-06-28.
- ^ Mason, Ryan (2020-07-29). "EHang receives approval from Transport Canada for flight testing in Quebec". eVTOL. Archived from the original on 2021-11-17. Retrieved 2020-08-02.
- ^ "Ehang 216 Autonomous Aerial Vehicle (AAV)". aerospace-technology.com. Retrieved 2019-08-17.
- ^ Mason, Ryan (2020-07-31). "EHang Launches Aerial Firefighting Solution". AerialFIRE. Retrieved 2020-08-02.
External links
[edit]- Official website

- Business data for EHang Holdings Limited:
EHang
View on GrokipediaHistory
Founding and early development
EHang Holdings Limited was founded in December 2014 in the Cayman Islands by Huazhi Hu, who serves as the company's chairman and chief executive officer, along with co-founder Derrick Yifang Xiong, who acts as director and chief marketing officer.[9][10][11] The company was established with a focus on developing autonomous aerial vehicles (AAVs), drawing from the founders' backgrounds in technology and aviation innovation, with core team members hailing from top universities in China, the United States, and Singapore.[10] In the same month, EHang created its wholly-owned subsidiary Ehfly Technology Limited in Hong Kong to facilitate offshore operations and financing.[12] Early development centered on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for consumer and commercial applications, beginning with the Ghostdrone series. EHang's Ghostdrone Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign in November 2014 raised $850,000, marketed as an accessible drone for aerial filming with automated safety features and smartphone control.[13] In December 2014, the company raised $10 million in Series A financing led by GGV Capital.[14] In August 2015, EHang raised $42 million in Series B financing, led by global venture capital firms, which supported expansion of R&D and product launches including upgraded Ghostdrone 2.0 models with 4K cameras and VR compatibility released in early 2016.[15] To bolster manufacturing and research in China, EHang established EHang Intelligent Equipment (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd. as a wholly-owned subsidiary in October 2015, focusing on AAV production.[12] A pivotal shift toward passenger-grade AAVs occurred in January 2016 when EHang unveiled the EHang 184 at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, positioning it as the world's first autonomous passenger-carrying aerial vehicle capable of seating one pilot and one passenger for up to 25 minutes of flight.[12] This prototype marked EHang's transition from recreational drones to urban air mobility solutions, incorporating fully autonomous flight systems powered by lithium-ion batteries. In the same period, the company gained control over Guangzhou EHang Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. through variable interest entity (VIE) arrangements to navigate regulatory constraints in China.[12] These early efforts laid the groundwork for EHang's emphasis on safety and redundancy, with initial testing and demonstrations attracting global attention to the potential of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) technology.Key milestones and expansions
EHang achieved a significant early milestone in January 2016 by unveiling the EHang 184, the world's first autonomous aerial vehicle designed to carry a single passenger, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.[16] This octocopter featured automated navigation and was intended for short- to medium-range urban flights without requiring a pilot's license.[17] In February 2018, the EHang 184 completed its first public manned flight in Guangzhou, China, marking a key step in validating passenger-carrying autonomous technology.[18] The demonstration flight, lasting several minutes, showcased the vehicle's stability and safety features in a controlled urban environment. Building on this, EHang conducted its first passenger-carrying autonomous flight demonstration in September 2019 at the Northeast Asia Expo in Changchun, China.[19] EHang went public on December 12, 2019, listing American Depositary Shares on the Nasdaq Global Market under the ticker "EH," raising approximately $46 million in its initial public offering.[20] This capital infusion supported further development of its autonomous aerial vehicle (AAV) platform. A pivotal regulatory achievement came in October 2023 when the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) issued the world's first type certificate (TC) for an unmanned passenger-carrying eVTOL to the EH216-S.[21] In April 2024, EHang secured the production certificate (PC) from the CAAC, enabling mass production of the EH216-S.[22] By March 2025, the company obtained the air operator certificate (AOC), becoming the first eVTOL manufacturer globally to hold all three essential CAAC certifications for commercial operations.[23] In terms of expansions, EHang announced plans in July 2020 to establish a major production facility in Yunfu, Guangdong, with an initial annual capacity of 600 AAV units.[24] Operations at the Yunfu site commenced in 2021, spanning approximately 24,000 square meters for manufacturing and R&D.[25] In Q1 2025, EHang initiated further expansion of the Yunfu base to double its factory space, supporting scaled production amid growing demand.[26] EHang's global footprint expanded rapidly, with the EH216-S completing debut passenger flights in Thailand in November 2024, marking entry into its 18th country.[27] By mid-2025, operations reached 21 countries. Key partnerships included a June 2025 collaboration with Gotion High-Tech to develop advanced power systems for the EH216 series.[28] In July 2025, EHang partnered with Reignwood Aviation to integrate eVTOLs into general aviation, starting with tourism routes and expanding to urban air mobility hubs.[29] That month, it also secured an order for 50 EH216-S units from partners in Guizhou for low-altitude economy applications.[30] In September 2025, EHang conducted Africa's first pilotless human-carrying eVTOL flight with the EH216-S in Kigali, Rwanda, at the Aviation Africa Summit.[31] The following month, on October 13, 2025, the company unveiled the VT35, a next-generation long-range pilotless eVTOL capable of extended flights for broader urban air mobility applications.[32]Recent certifications and advancements
In 2023, EHang achieved a major milestone with the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) issuing the world's first type certificate for an unmanned passenger-carrying electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to its EH216-S model on October 13.[33] This certification, following over 40,000 test flights and validation of more than 500 test items, established a global benchmark for eVTOL airworthiness and paved the way for commercial operations.[33] Later that year, on December 21, the EH216-S received its standard airworthiness certificate, confirming compliance with production standards at EHang's Yunfu facility and enabling initial certified deliveries.[34] Building on this progress, EHang secured a production certificate from the CAAC on April 7, 2024, marking the first such approval for an eVTOL and allowing scalable manufacturing of the EH216-S under rigorous quality management systems.[35] This certification facilitated the company's delivery of 216 EH216-S units in 2024, supporting early commercial deployments in urban air mobility (UAM) applications.[36] A pivotal advancement came in 2025 when, on March 30, EHang's subsidiaries obtained the world's first air operator certificates (AOCs) from the CAAC for pilotless human-carrying eVTOL operations, authorizing commercial passenger flights in designated Chinese regions.[5] These AOCs, issued to operators like Guangdong EHang General Aviation, completed the full regulatory suite for EHang's ecosystem and enabled the initiation of revenue-generating services, including tourism and intercity transport.[23] In parallel, EHang advanced its technology portfolio with the unveiling of the VT35 on October 13, 2025, a next-generation long-range pilotless passenger eVTOL featuring a 200 km range, two-passenger capacity, and pricing at RMB 6.5 million per unit.[37] The CAAC accepted the VT35's type certificate application in March 2025, positioning it for certification by late 2026 and expanding EHang's offerings to intercity and cross-sea routes.[38] These developments, coupled with strategic partnerships such as those with China Southern Airlines General Aviation in July 2024 and China Road and Bridge Corporation in September 2025, underscore EHang's push toward global UAM infrastructure.[39][40] In November 2025, EHang showcased the EH216-S at the eVTOL USA event in Silicon Valley, highlighting its advancements in autonomous aerial vehicles.[8] On November 11, 2025, the company signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement with the China Academy of Civil Aviation Science and Technology to advance low-altitude aviation technologies, standards, and infrastructure development.[41]Corporate profile
Leadership and organization
EHang Holdings Limited is led by a founder-driven executive team with expertise in aviation technology, finance, and operations. Huazhi Hu serves as the Founder, Chairman of the Board, and Chief Executive Officer, a role he has held since the company's inception in 2014.[42] Hu, a Tsinghua University alumnus with a background in computer science, previously worked as Chief Technology Officer at Beijing 999 Emergency Rescue Center and Vice President at Beijing Jindian Group, bringing deep experience in software engineering and command-and-control systems to EHang's autonomous aerial vehicle development.[42] The management team includes Conor Chia-hung Yang as Chief Financial Officer and Director since September 2023, with prior CFO roles at Tuniu Corporation, E-Commerce China Dangdang Inc., and AirMedia Group Inc., supported by an MBA from UCLA.[42] Zhao Wang joined as Chief Operating Officer in April 2024, following leadership positions as CEO of Mangrove Tree Technology Group and Beijing Ganlan Technology, holding a bachelor's degree in computer science from Tsinghua University.[42] The Board of Directors comprises six members, balancing executive and independent perspectives to guide strategic decisions in urban air mobility. Independent directors include Wing Kee Lau (since 2023), a financial expert chairing the Audit Committee with extensive CFO experience at firms like RoboSense Technology; Dongming Wu (since 2020), CEO of DHL Express China with over 30 years in logistics; Haoxiang Hou (since 2015), founder of Houxue Capital and chair of the Compensation Committee; and Nick Ning Yang (since 2022), founding partner of LeBox Capital with venture capital and tech entrepreneurship background.[9] The board operates under a dual-class share structure, granting Huazhi Hu significant voting control (79.0% as of October 2025), classifying EHang as a controlled company exempt from certain Nasdaq independence requirements as a foreign private issuer.[43][44] Organizationally, EHang functions as a Cayman Islands holding company established in 2014, with operations conducted through subsidiaries and a variable interest entity (VIE) structure to navigate PRC foreign investment regulations.[43] Key entities include Ehfly Technology Limited (Hong Kong, wholly owned for product sales), EHang Intelligent Equipment (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd. (PRC wholly foreign-owned enterprise for R&D and manufacturing), and the VIE Guangzhou EHang Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. (controlled via contracts for core PRC operations), along with subsidiaries like Yunfu EHang Intelligent Technology Limited (68.5% owned) and Guangdong EHang General Aviation Co., Ltd. for flight services.[43] This structure supports a single reportable segment focused on autonomous aerial vehicles, with headquarters in Guangzhou, China, and a production facility in Yunfu. As of December 2024, EHang employed 483 people, with over half in R&D roles emphasizing aerospace engineering and software.[43][45] Governance emphasizes compliance with Cayman Islands law, PRC regulations, and Nasdaq rules, including audit, compensation, and nominating committees to oversee financial reporting, incentives, and board composition.[43]Financial performance
EHang Holdings Limited has demonstrated significant revenue growth in recent years, transitioning from modest figures in its early public years to accelerated expansion driven by eVTOL deliveries and commercial operations. Annual revenues increased from US$17.5 million in 2019 to a record US$62.5 million in 2024, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of approximately 29% over that period, primarily fueled by sales of the EH216 series and strategic partnerships.[46][47] Despite this progress, the company has remained unprofitable, posting net losses each year, though losses have narrowed progressively. In 2024, EHang reported a full-year net loss of RMB230.0 million (US$31.5 million), an improvement of 23.9% year-over-year from RMB302.1 million in 2023, attributed to higher gross margins from scaled production and cost efficiencies.[47] The fourth quarter of 2024 marked a revenue peak of RMB164.3 million (US$22.5 million), up 190.2% year-over-year, with 216 units delivered annually, the highest to date.[47]| Year | Revenue (US$ million) | Net Loss (US$ million) | Key Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 17.5 | 6.7 | Initial product sales |
| 2020 | 27.6 | 14.0 | R&D expansion |
| 2021 | 8.9 | 50.3 | Market challenges |
| 2022 | 6.4 | 44.1 | Operational scaling |
| 2023 | 16.5 | 42.6 | Certification progress |
| 2024 | 62.5 | 31.5 | EH216 deliveries |
Technology
Autonomous flight systems
EHang's autonomous flight systems enable fully pilotless operation of its aerial vehicles, primarily through proprietary onboard software and hardware that handle navigation, control, and safety without human intervention. The core technology consists of an advanced flight control system that integrates multiple sensors and algorithms to process real-time environmental data, ensuring stable flight paths from takeoff to landing. This system is designed for urban air mobility applications, prioritizing redundancy and fail-safes to meet aviation safety standards.[51] The flight control system relies on a suite of sensors, including accelerometers, gyroscopes, barometers, magnetic compasses, visual sensors, GNSS receivers, and millimeter-wave radars, to gather data for precise positioning, obstacle detection, and attitude control. Visual sensors and radars facilitate computer-vision-based navigation, allowing the vehicle to execute vertical takeoffs and landings via an inverted U-shaped flight profile that minimizes noise and enhances efficiency. GNSS integration provides global positioning accuracy, while the onboard intelligent navigation system computes optimal routes autonomously, adapting to dynamic conditions like weather or airspace restrictions.[51][52] Proprietary in-flight operating software powers the autopilot, making real-time decisions for propulsion, trajectory adjustments, and emergency responses. This software runs on distributed electric propulsion systems with redundant motors—such as 16 rotors in the EH216-S model—to maintain stability if individual components fail. A full backup fail-safe mechanism monitors critical parameters, automatically switching to secondary systems in case of anomalies, and passengers can view flight status via an integrated tablet interface.[53][51] Complementing the onboard autonomy, EHang's systems connect to a centralized command-and-control center that provides remote monitoring, dispatch, and early warning capabilities through encrypted, real-time data exchange. This infrastructure visualizes aircraft status, including battery levels and flight paths, and coordinates with local aviation authorities to ensure compliance and deconfliction in shared airspace. The dual-layered approach—onboard independence paired with ground oversight—has supported EHang's vehicles in achieving type certification for autonomous operations in China.[54][52]Supporting infrastructure and platforms
EHang's supporting infrastructure encompasses a range of ground-based facilities and digital systems designed to enable safe and scalable operations of its autonomous eVTOL aircraft. Central to this ecosystem are vertiports and E-ports, standardized takeoff and landing sites adapted to urban, coastal, and park environments. As of 2025, EHang has established over 40 such operational demonstration sites across more than 16 cities and regions in China, including urban integrated vertiports in Shenzhen's Luohu District with elevatable hangars for efficient aircraft storage and maintenance, hub-style dual-pad sites in Hefei's Luogang Central Park, and coastal logistics hubs in Zhuhai's Guishandao Port. These facilities incorporate dedicated zones for ticketing, passenger boarding, charging, and maintenance, ensuring seamless integration with existing urban landscapes while supporting both passenger and cargo missions.[55] Complementing these physical infrastructures are EHang's digital platforms, particularly its command-and-control (C&C) centers and intelligent supervision systems. The C&C centers facilitate fleet management by enabling coordinated control of multiple aircraft, deployment of flight routes, and real-time monitoring of operational status. These systems track aircraft flight data, external environments, and trajectories continuously, issuing anomaly alerts and allowing for manual intervention when necessary. Standardized pre-flight inspection protocols integrated into these platforms verify airworthiness across airframe, power systems, and avionics, minimizing operational risks. EHang positions its C&C technology as a core strength, developed through extensive R&D to support autonomous eVTOL scalability in urban air mobility (UAM) environments.[56][57][55] To advance airspace integration, EHang collaborates on unmanned traffic management (UTM) solutions, notably through a 2025 partnership with ANRA Technologies. This agreement integrates EHang's EH216-S eVTOL systems and ground infrastructure with ANRA's certified airspace management platform, enabling dynamic UTM for global UAM deployments. Such efforts address challenges in airspace deconfliction and regulatory compliance, particularly for pilotless operations. In November 2025, EHang signed a strategic partnership with the Civil Aviation Academy of China (CAACST) to jointly develop advanced UTM systems and airspace management technologies, further enhancing low-altitude economy infrastructure.[58][41] A key initiative in EHang's infrastructure strategy is the development of an intelligent low-altitude platform, pursued via a 2024 partnership with China Communications Information & Technology Group (CCIT). This platform fuses digital technologies like 5G, 6G, satellite communications, sensing, and high-precision navigation to create a comprehensive ecosystem. It integrates five key networks: an air traffic infrastructure network for physical facilities; an aerial route network for optimized flight paths; a communications and navigation network for reliable connectivity; an airspace management network for traffic coordination; and a low-altitude service network for operational support. The collaboration aims to deploy UAM hubs, modular flight terminals, and flight data centers, targeting coverage in 100 Chinese cities and scenic spots by 2028, thereby establishing national benchmarks for the low-altitude economy.[59][60]Aircraft
Early models
EHang's early development focused on pioneering autonomous aerial vehicles (AAVs) designed for urban air mobility, with the company's inaugural passenger-grade model marking a significant breakthrough in electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) technology. Founded in 2014, EHang rapidly advanced from conceptual designs to functional prototypes, emphasizing fully autonomous flight without pilots to ensure safety and efficiency. The core innovation lay in integrating electric propulsion, advanced sensors, and AI-driven navigation systems into compact multicopter architectures, distinguishing these vehicles from traditional manned aircraft or helicopters.[61] The EHang 184, unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas on January 6, 2016, represented the company's first public prototype and the world's inaugural electric passenger AAV. This single-seat multicopter featured eight coaxial rotors powered by 12 kW electric motors, enabling a maximum speed of 100 km/h, a flight endurance of up to 23 minutes, and a payload capacity of 100 kg for one passenger plus light cargo. Its fully autonomous operation relied on redundant flight controls, GPS, and obstacle-avoidance sensors, allowing pre-programmed routes without human intervention; early demonstrations included tethered tests and unmanned flights to validate stability and reliability. The model underwent initial flight testing in China shortly after launch, accumulating over 1,000 test flights by 2018 to refine autonomy algorithms and battery management. In June 2016, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted approval for testing in Nevada, marking the first such clearance for a passenger-carrying drone in the United States and highlighting its potential for short-range urban transport.[62][63][64] Building on the 184's foundation, EHang introduced iterative enhancements in the late 2010s to address limitations in range and capacity while maintaining the autonomous ethos. The EHang 116, an upgraded single-passenger variant developed around 2017, incorporated additional motors and propellers for improved redundancy and power, achieving slightly extended flight times and enhanced safety margins through better fault-tolerant systems. Similarly, the EHang 216, a two-seater evolution launched in 2018, doubled the passenger capacity to two individuals (up to 200 kg total) by adding eight more rotors, resulting in a 16-rotor configuration that boosted lift and stability for tandem operations. These early models prioritized proof-of-concept validation over commercial scalability, with over 2,000 combined test flights by 2019 demonstrating reliable autonomous navigation in controlled environments, though they remained prototypes without full type certification at the time. Their design philosophy—eco-friendly electric propulsion and platform-based control—laid the groundwork for EHang's subsequent certified eVTOLs, influencing global standards for pilotless passenger aircraft.[64][65][66]Passenger eVTOLs
EHang's passenger eVTOL lineup centers on fully autonomous, electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft designed for urban and regional air mobility. The flagship model, the EH216-S, is a two-seat multicopter optimized for short-range urban transport. Featuring a coaxial dual-rotor configuration with 16 rotors, it utilizes lightweight carbon fiber composites for its airframe, enabling a maximum takeoff weight of 620 kg. The aircraft measures 5.73 m in width and 1.93 m in height, with gull-wing doors providing access to ergonomic seats. Its electric propulsion system supports a maximum speed of 130 km/h and a range of 30 km, powered by smart batteries with fast-charging capabilities and multiple redundancies for safety.[54][51] The EH216-S operates without a pilot, relying on preset flight routes, intelligent navigation, GNSS positioning, and fail-safe systems including encrypted communications and emergency controls. It incorporates obstacle avoidance and backup flight controls to ensure reliability. In October 2023, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) issued the world's first type certificate for a pilotless passenger eVTOL to the EH216-S, followed by production and standard airworthiness certificates in 2024. By early 2025, operators in China received air operator certificates (AOCs), enabling commercial passenger flights; notable deployments include inaugural urban flights in Shanghai in January 2025 and demonstrations in Africa in September 2025. As of November 2025, the EH216-S has conducted commercial passenger flights in multiple Chinese cities including Guangzhou, Hefei, and Shanghai, with ongoing international demonstrations.[3][67][68][7] These milestones position the EH216-S as the first commercially operational pilotless human-carrying eVTOL globally.[3][67][68] Complementing the EH216-S, EHang introduced the VT35 in October 2025 as a next-generation model for medium- to long-range applications. This tandem-wing eVTOL features eight lift propellers for vertical operations and a rear pusher propeller with fixed wings for efficient cruise flight, constructed from carbon fiber, aviation aluminum, and titanium alloys. With dimensions of 8.26 m in length, 8.16 m wingspan, and 3.09 m height, it has a maximum takeoff weight of 950 kg and supports a payload of at least 200 kg in a two-seat cabin equipped with air conditioning, LED lighting, and multimedia systems. The VT35 achieves an economic cruising speed of 216 km/h, a full-load range of 200 km, and up to 60 minutes of endurance, targeting intercity, cross-sea, and mountainous routes to enable "one-hour air mobility circles."[69][37] Like the EH216-S, the VT35 is fully autonomous, with advanced point-to-point navigation and obstacle detection. In March 2025, the CAAC accepted EHang's type certificate application for the VT35, initiating the airworthiness certification process. This model expands EHang's portfolio by addressing longer distances beyond urban confines, integrating with the company's command-and-control infrastructure for fleet management.[32][70]| Model | Capacity | Max Speed | Range (Full Load) | Key Design | Certification Status (as of Nov 2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EH216-S | 2 passengers | 130 km/h | 30 km | Multicopter, 16 rotors | TC, PC, AOC (China); operational |
| VT35 | 2 passengers (≥200 kg payload) | 216 km/h | 200 km | Lift-and-cruise, tandem wings | TC application accepted; in process |
