EHang (亿航智能, Nasdaq: EH), a leading domestic autonomous aerial vehicle developer, yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Bao’an district government of Shenzhen, seeking to build a comprehensive strategic partnership on urban air mobility (UAM).
Under the MoU, the two sides will work together to launch commercial operation of EH216-S, an eVTOL aircraft of EHang, following the completion of its type certification.
EHang will also team up with Bao’an, a district known as a UAV powerhouse, to develop UAM use cases, systems and routes.
The goal is to build Shenzhen into a “demonstration city” amid a national push to develop low-altitude economy.
EHang plans to establish its first UAM operation demonstration center at the OH Bay, an urban landmark and shopping precinct in Shenzhen, and launch aerial tourism and sightseeing services with EH216-S.
In exchange, Bao’an will provide comprehensive support for the procurement of EH216-S, financial leasing, infrastructure construction, and low-altitude operation in the area.
The Guangzhou-based firm plans to construct an assembly and delivery center for EH216-S, a R&D and testing center, as well as a maintenance support center in Bao’an to localize its services.
Shenzhen has stepped up its support since early this year for the so-called low-altitude economy.
The city yesterday issued a set of guidelines aimed at encouraging Bao’an to spearhead the national drive to nurture the UAM industry.
In the government work report presented to the city’s legislature early this year, Shenzhen pledged to develop itself into a “low-altitude economic center” and a “demonstration zone of civilian UAV.”
Meng Jinjin, executive deputy district governor of Bao’an, yesterday credited EHang as “a global leader in the UAM industry.”
“Starting with the UAM operation demonstration center at the OH Bay, we aspire to further collaborate with EHang to carry out various UAM projects in Bao’an, with a goal to develop more than 10 routes within this year,” said Meng.
Fang Xin, Chief Operating Officer of EHang, said the firm looks to contribute its expertise in fostering high-quality growth of a low-altitude economy.
“By advancing the sales, applications, and maintenance of EH216-S, we will lend our forces to the creation of a low-altitude service ecosystem in Shenzhen and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area,” he added.
