An official announcement on Monday claimed that Israel has started testing autonomous drones that may eventually be used for public transit.
In the context of Israel’s National Drone Initiative, a series of tests and experimental flights were carried out across Israel over the course of the previous week by 11 firms.
Israel is relying on electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) planes that are autonomous to cope with its escalating traffic issues.
In combination with air traffic control systems, the planes that are now being tested will be able to avoid gridlock and reduce congestion by removing vehicles off the road, according to Orly Stern, CEO of Ayalon Highways.
Miri Regev, Israel’s minister of transportation, stated that “the collaborative project examines all the aspects—including regulation and legislative changes—involved in the commercial operation of drones as an additional tool to deal with congestion.”
The National Drone Initiative in Israel, a collaboration between state agencies and the nation’s Civil Aviation Authority, was started in 2019.
More than 60 million shekels ($16 million) were spent on testing during the initiative’s initial phase, which ran through 2022 and concentrated on small freight flights.
The current phase intends to expand cargo capability and range in addition to creating a “system of aerial routes in the skies.”
According to the statement, almost 19,000 sorties in both urban and rural regions have been carried out during the last three years.
The objective is to create an environment where drones would not only reduce traffic congestion but also more effectively deliver commercial and public services, giving Israeli businesses a competitive edge on the worldwide market.
Air Zero, an Israeli-made drone that can carry up to two people and up to 220 kilograms (485 lbs) of payload over a distance of up to 160 kilometers (99 miles), was one of the drones tested during the previous week..
The Ehang EH216-S aircraft, which can carry two people and up to 220 kilos in total and fly up to 30 kilometers (18 miles) in completely autonomous flight, was used for the first time by Dronery, a subsidiary of Cando Drones, to take off from Caesarea’s Pal-Yam landing pad.
In partnership with the municipality, Cando Drones flew delivery missions between Rami Levy Supermarket locations, night flights over Hadera’s beachfront strip, and traffic monitoring operations at the Nesher-Bar-Yehuda intersection.
Down Wind opened a flight path between Hillel Yaffe Medical Center and Rambam Medical Center by flying the initiative’s longest trip to date, reaching over 29 kilometers (18 miles).
The firms taking part in the effort will undertake test flights for a week each month for the next two years around the nation.
These flights will take place in regulated airspace, go up to 150 km (93 miles) in length, and carry bigger payloads.
The firms will have space at Ayalon Highways’ metropolitan control and monitoring center, which will continue to act as the demonstrations’ pilot site.
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