|
Chinese UAV firm EHang Egret clinched the record by 156 drones
from U.S. technology firm Intel, which flew 1,218 drones in
formation during the Winter Olympics in South Korea in February.
During a night performance on Sunday in the Chinese tourist city
of Xian, the drones took on 16 different 3D formations,
including a camel, a Buddha and a high-speed train, said EHang
in a release.
China has championed rapid development in its tech sector in a
bid to build world-leading firms and reduce dependence on
foreign products, including semiconductors, robots and drones.
As part of the performance the drone formation spelt out a
popular political slogan and paid tribute to President Xi
Jinping's cornerstone foreign policy initiative, One Belt One
Road.
In August, another Chinese firm, WL Intelligent Technology Co
Ltd, broke the record for most robots dancing simultaneously,
involving 1,069 bi-pedal toy robots. The record has since been
beaten by an Italian firm that performed the same feat with
1,372 robots.
EHang first made headlines in 2016 when it unveiled a passenger
drone concept which it said would retail at up to $300,000.
Earlier this year, the company said it had completed tests for
the vehicle which is capable of carrying one person at speeds of
up to 130 kph.
The firm specializes in aerial landscaping, but in consumer
drones it is dwarfed by fellow Chinese drone firm SZ DJI
Technology Co Ltd, which is the world's largest maker of
non-military drones.
(Reporting by Cate Cadell; Editing by Nick Macfie)
[© 2018 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2018 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.
 |
|
