You may soon be able to call a flying taxi to get you home after a night out.
It is reported that China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will introduce electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft this year.
These vehicles look like futuristic helicopters and the technology already exists, but regulations have made it difficult to put them into widespread use.
An eVTOL can complete a 35-kilometer journey in just 10 minutes, compared to 45 minutes by car, according to Nikkei Asia reports.
The Chinese EH216-S flying taxi can carry two people and will mainly be used for tourism.
Reaching speeds of up to 130 km/h, the EH216-S is a solar-powered aircraft, controlled by a ground crew via a 4G or 5G network.
Officials hope these aircraft could serve as "flying patrols," landing on rooftops or public squares.
Drone manufacturer EHang Intelligent last month conducted its first manned flight over an urban road, where the aircraft hovered 3,000 meters above Nanjing, a city in eastern China.
The company hopes the flying taxi will be used as a "corridor" between the island province of Hainan and Guangdong province, which are 450 km away.
Two companies are also introducing flying taxi services in the UAE.
In Dubai, the American company Joby Aviation is testing a six-propeller eVTOL that can carry five people.
During a demonstration at the Dubai Airshow in November, the plane flew from Al Maktoum Airport to the outskirts of Dubai in 15 minutes.
A 35km journey, such as from the city's airport to the Palm Jumeira islands, would normally take an hour.
But with electric flying taxis, the journey will only take 10 minutes, and reports suggest the cost will be around £70.
The aircraft takes off like a helicopter and then flies like a plane, carrying a pilot and four passengers at speeds of up to 320 km/h.
"Vertiports," the equivalent of taxi ranks, are being built at the American University of Dubai, Atlantis the Royal, and Dubai Mall.
A route between Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah is expected to open next year, according to Joby Aviation.
American company Archer Aviation plans to have its "luxury" taxis flying over Abu Dhabi this year.
The trips, which will cost up to £80 for a shared trip and £300 for a private one, include:
Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) – Downtown Abu Dhabi: 15 minutes
Yas Island – Saadiyat Island: 8 minutes
Downtown Abu Dhabi – Yas Island: 12 minutes
Al Reem Island – Saadiyat Island: 10 minutes
Passengers will be able to book private or shared flying taxis through an iPhone or Android app, according to tour operator Tiketi.
Japan will have a fleet of 100 flying taxis next year, with Joby partnering with ANA Holdings.
The UK won't be far behind either; British company Vertical Aerospace hopes to have its Valo plane flying over London by 2028.
Flying taxis will pass over the capital at speeds of up to 240 km/h, at a cost similar to a typical Uber ride.
Aviation officials have stressed that commercial flying taxi service may still be a long way off, due to regulatory challenges, including infrastructure, noise and public opinion – most are still not convinced about driverless cars, let alone flying taxis.
However, the government's Future of Flight Action Plan suggests there could be unmanned flying taxi drones in Britain by 2030. /GazetaExpress/
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