(Alliance News) - Autonomous aerial vehicle technology platform EHang on Friday said it has partnered with Vodafone Group PLC to build out an urban air mobility ecosystem, first in Germany and then Europe-wide.
Under the agreement, FTSE 100-listed telecommunications firm Vodafone will become EHang's exclusive partner to provide connectivity to all EHang autonomous aerial vehicles operating in Europe, by equipping them with Vodafone SIM cards.
In addition, EHang said it will become Vodafone's exclusive urban air mobility partner.
Through the Vodafone network, the company said individual passenger and logistics autonomous aerial vehicles will be able to communicate with the command-and-control centers that regulate their operations.
Once the regulatory framework allows, EHang and Vodafone also intend to collaborate on autonomous aerial vehicles test flights and will further work together on mobility platform services.
"Autonomous air taxis will enable increased mobility options for all of us in the future. They will complement existing modes of transportation but allow us to fly above traffic jams if needed," said Vodafone Chief Executive Hannes Ametsreiter.
Vodafone shares were trading 0.3% higher in London on Friday midday at 160.92 pence each.
By Evelina Grecenko; evelinagrecenko@alliancenews.com
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