In their bid to break into the Middle East drone market and expand their brand into the region, Chinese passenger drone maker EHang Holdings has joined the Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industries (SAVI) Cluster in the United Arab Emirates capital, Abu Dhabi.

Additionally, the company has also signed a long-term strategic partnership with Wings Logistics Hub, the passenger eVTOLs and logistics tech subsidiary of Technology Holding Company.

The aim of this partnership is to collaboratively advance the development of urban air transportation and smart city management in the UAE and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

The SAVI Cluster, situated in Masdar City and led by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), is dedicated to establishing Abu Dhabi as a key hub for smart and autonomous vehicles.

“We’re excited to share our involvement in the SAVI Cluster and our strategic alliance with Wings Logistics Hub and EIH as we broaden our reach in the UAE market,” said Huazhi Hu, Founder, CEO and Chairman of EHang.

“As the first company globally to receive a type certificate for an autonomous eVTOL from China’s national civil aviation authority, we’re eager to bring our leading-edge technologies to the UAE. Our aim is to work with our local partner to enhance safe, intelligent, autonomous, and eco-friendly air mobility in this region.”

SAVI reportedly provides state-of-the-art facilities and value-added services within a supportive regulatory framework, designed to encourage innovation and help in the commercial application of smart and autonomous vehicle technologies.

Meanwhile, EHang has also formed a strategic partnership with Wings Logistics Hub, with the ultimate goal being to introduce EHang’s autonomous eVTOLs to the UAE market.

Operating under the aegis of Technology Holding Company, itself a technology arm of Ethmar International Holding, Wings Logistics Hub specialises in smart mobility, logistics technology, and omnichannel solutions and caters for the passenger eVTOLs and logistic technology functions within EIH.

The company’s solutions include smart and autonomous vehicle technologies as well as extended infrastructure including vertiports across the realms of passenger transportation, smart logistic and smart city management.

As part of their strategic partnership, Wings Logistics Hub and EHang will work together to facilitate local certification and operations of the EH216 series of eVTOLs in the UAE; comprising the EH216-S, EH216-L, and EH216-F models, which are designed for passenger transportation, aerial logistics, and firefighting respectively.

Wings Logistics Hub intends to buy up to 100 units of the EH216 series eVTOLs from EHang with initial deliveries set to commence in the first quarter of 2024.

“Introducing electric aviation to the UAE is anticipated to alleviate congestion with zero emissions and, consequently, attract significant foreign direct investment and generate thousands of jobs in the region over the next decade,” said Mohamed Al Dhaheri, board member of Wings Logistics Hub.

“We take pride in our participation in the SAVI Cluster and remain steadfast in our commitment to advancing smart and autonomous vehicle technologies for passenger transportation, mobility, logistics, and smart city management in the UAE.”