EHang Holdings Limited, who is leading the global charge of providing a working concept of optionally piloted vehicles with a human payload announced today the launch of the world’s first large-payload intelligent aerial firefighting solution. Based on its flagship product, this new firefighting version of EHang 216, “EHang 216F” has been specially designed for high-rise firefighting.
The company hoping that the launch of the 216F will further demonstrate the ability to commercialize its AAV technology platform, converting the passenger based variant into various practical applications, such as firefighting and emergency rescue. With hundreds of thousands of high-rise buildings in China, the Company believes the EHang 216F can become essential equipment for thousands of fire stations across China and eventually those around the world.
At a recent global launch ceremony in Yunfu, China, EHang revealed the 216F and demonstrated its capability to extinguish a high-rise fire. With a maximum flight altitude of 600 meters(1968 feet,) the 216F however, can only carry up to 150 liters, or just under 40 gallons per flight of firefighting foams or other products.
The 216F uses a visible light zoom camera to quickly identify the location of the fire; it then hovers precisely in position and uses a laser aiming device to fire (in succession) a window breaker, fire extinguishing “bombs” and then a full-range spray of firefighting foam. Multiple 216Fs can be deployed to rapidly extinguish a fire.
EHang’s Founder, Chairman and CEO, Huazhi Hu said, “We are pleased to introduce the EHang 216F AAV aerial firefighting solution, which solves difficult challenges in high-rise firefighting. The high-rise fire use case highlights the practical application of our passenger-grade AAV platform to different smart city management needs. The potential of our intelligent AAV technology platform is boundless. We will explore and develop more aerial solutions and use cases to empower smart cities.”
EHang 216Fs are expected to be deployed in urban fire stations to assist in firefighting within a 5km radius. EHang’s autopilot and centralized management technologies enable a fleet of EHang 216Fs to be remotely dispatched for first response even before the firefighters arrive. This significantly shortens response time and can reduce casualties.
To watch the demo video of EHang aerial firefighting solution, watch below.
https://youtu.be/ppkXctY7duk
