This innovative plan sounds futuristic and is imbued with strong Chinese elements.
The air taxi recently introduced in Saudi Arabia is the EH216-S, an unmanned electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft provided by the Chinese company EHang Intelligent Technology.
This "flying artifact" has already completed its maiden flight test in Mecca and is expected to be widely deployed in the future.
Saudi Arabia's introduction of this technology is truly remarkable, bringing unprecedented convenience and innovation to pilgrimage activities.
Speaking of this Chinese-developed air taxi, its design is highly advanced.
With a body length of 5.73 meters and a height of 1.93 meters, though compact, it can carry two passengers and fly straight for at least 30 kilometers in low-altitude environments.
Most impressively, it can reach speeds of up to 130 kilometers per hour!
This means passengers can travel from Jeddah to Mecca in just 20 minutes, a whole hour faster than traditional ground transportation, especially advantageous during traffic congestion.
However, experiencing such high-tech transportation is not affordable for everyone.
Reportedly, the price of one air taxi is as high as 2.39 million yuan.
While this cost may be prohibitive for the general public, it is a mere fraction for Middle Eastern elites.
To them, any problem that money can solve is not a problem!
Saudi Arabia's introduction of this high-tech product is not just a display of financial power.
Safety has always been a major challenge during the annual pilgrimage season.
In the past, traffic accidents on pilgrimage routes have caused thousands of casualties.
As of the 18th of this month alone, more than 550 people have tragically died. In such circumstances, the introduction of air taxis undoubtedly holds significant importance.
Imagine in the past, when problems arose, rescue personnel had to maneuver through crowded crowds.
Now, with air taxis flying directly from the sky, not only is the speed fast, but it's also efficient.
In the air, rescue personnel can have a comprehensive understanding of the ground situation, enabling them to promptly identify and address issues, like adding a solid safety barrier to the pilgrimage activities.
Saudi Arabia's move not only solves practical problems but also showcases the country's technological strength, building itself into an image of a leader in technology.
This forward-thinking initiative has earned wide acclaim for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
As an 80s crown prince, he clearly places Saudi Arabia's modernization transformation in an important position, especially in areas representing the fourth industrial revolution such as new energy, electric vehicles, and aerial transport.
From this perspective, China can indeed be proud.
These fields valued by Saudi Arabia are precisely China's strengths.
Just think, in the field of new energy, we have BYD, CATL, electric vehicles, NIO, and Xiaopeng, and in aerial transport, Ehang Intelligent ... Isn't this the culmination of "Made in China"?
Saudi Arabia's willingness to become a testing ground for Chinese high-tech products is a great opportunity for both sides.
China has the opportunity to showcase its strength, while Saudi Arabia can accelerate its own modernization process.
This cooperation extends beyond products to the entire industry chain, making it a model of win-win situation.
Of course, some may question, isn't this just a taxi?
This is not an ordinary taxi but a flying taxi!
Just think, we used to find ride-hailing apps convenient, and now with air taxis, we can fly to our destination instantly, how convenient!
Moreover, the application scenarios of air taxis are not limited to pilgrimage activities.
In the future, can urban transportation achieve a "three-dimensional" mode?
When ground traffic is congested, calling air taxis to solve the problem will become effortless.
Furthermore, emergency rescue in remote mountainous areas can also be enhanced through these flying vehicles.
Seeing Chinese high-tech products shine on the international stage, I feel genuinely proud.
Not long ago, "Made in China" was often synonymous with "shanzhai," but in a few years, we have emerged as prominent players in the global high-tech competition.
This progress can be described as "rapid"!
Of course, China must remain humble.
The promotion of new technologies will still take time and require addressing issues such as safety, cost control, and regulations.
But regardless, the achievements of Chinese enterprises in high-tech fields have fully demonstrated our strength.
In the tide of the fourth industrial revolution, China is no longer a follower but a leader.
This change, even the United States did not anticipate, right?
Technological development knows no borders. I hope countries can make mutual progress in healthy competition, allowing these exciting black technologies to truly benefit all mankind.
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