LAS VEGAS, Nevada (The Adobo Chronicles ) — Chinese drone maker Ehang Inc. has unveiled what it calls the world’s first drone capable of carrying a human passenger, and the Philippines was the first country to place an order for use by President NoyNoy Aquino.
The Guangzhou, China-based company pulled the cloth off the Ehang 184 at the Las Vegas Convention Center during the CES gadget show. In a company video showing it flying, it looks like a small helicopter but with four doubled propellers spinning parallel to the ground like other drones.
The electric-powered drone can be fully charged in two hours, carry up to 220 pounds and fly for 23 minutes at sea level, according to Ehang. The cabin fits one person and a small backpack and even has air conditioning and a reading light. With propellers folded up, it’s designed to fit in a single parking spot.
It is designed to fly about 1,000 to 1,650 feet off the ground with a maximum altitude of 11,500 feet and top speed of 63 miles per hour.
After setting a flight plan, passengers only need to give two commands, “take off” and “land,” each controlled by a single click on a Microsoft Surface tablet, the company said.
The traffic in Metro Manila in the Philippines is so bad that even the president cannot navigate its streets and thoroughfares without being stuck on the road for hours at a time.
“The human drone is perfect for the president so he can go about his daily duties without having to worry about traffic, especially in Metro Manila,” according to a spokesperson for Aquino.
While the spokesperson refused to disclose Aquino’s weight, he assured reporters that the president definitely weighs less than 220 pounds.
MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – The Philippines will see the launching of its first-ever satellite in April this year, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Mario Montejo said yesterday. The schedule was set after the DOST firmed up the arrangements with an American provider of space shuttle services on which the “micro satellite” would be launched.
SANYA, China (The Adobo Chronicles) – Sometimes, life imitates satire. We’re previously reported about countries – the Philippines included — being banned from international beauty pageants for various reasons. This time, China banned Miss Canada from participating in the just-concluded 2015 Miss World held in Sanya, China.
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