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EHang Launches Intelligent Aerial

Firefighting Solution

EHang 216F, extinguishing a high-rise fire in Yunfu, China

EHang Holdings Limited has announced the launch of the world’s first large-payload intelligent aerial firefighting solution.  Based on its flagship product, this new firefighting version of EHang 216, “EHang 216F” is specially designed for high-rise firefighting.

With hundreds of thousands of high-rise buildings in China, the company believes the EHang 216F can become essential equipment for thousands of fire stations across China and eventually those around the world.

At a recent global launch ceremony in Yunfu, China, EHang revealed the 216F and demonstrated its capability to extinguish a high-rise fire.  With a maximum flight altitude of 600 meters, the 216F can carry up to 150 liters of firefighting foams and 6 fire extinguisher bombs in a single trip.  The 216F uses a visible light zoom camera to quickly identify the location of fire; it then hovers precisely in position and uses a laser aiming device to fire (in succession) a window breaker, the fire extinguishing “bombs” and then a full-range spray of firefighting foam.  Multiple 216Fs can be deployed to rapidly extinguish the fire.

EHang’s Founder, Chairman and CEO, Huazhi Hu said, “We are pleased to introduce the EHang 216F AAV aerial firefighting solution, which solves difficult challenges in high-rise firefighting.  The high-rise fire use case highlights the practical application of our passenger-grade AAV platform to different smart city management needs.  The potential of our intelligent AAV technology platform is boundless.  We will explore and develop more aerial solutions and use cases to empower smart cities.”

“Firefighting and rescue is a race against death. By taking advantage of the rapid response and centralized management of the EHang AAV platform, we can greatly improve the effectiveness of our efforts,” said by Weiqiang Chen, the head of a fire station in Yunfu. “EHang’s intelligent aerial firefighting solution can effectively solve difficult problems in fighting high-rise fires.  This complements existing firefighting systems and will improve society’s ability to respond to emergencies.”

EHang 216Fs are expected to be deployed in urban fire stations to assist in firefighting within a 5km radius.  EHang’s autopilot and centralized management technologies enable a fleet of EHang 216Fs to be remotely dispatched for first response even before the firefighters arrive.  This significantly shortens response time and can reduce casualties.

EHang 216F in a fire station in Yunfu, China

High-rise fires are a growing problem around the world.  The height of fire rescue ladders and the reach of fire nozzles are usually less than 50 meters, and their operations are often limited to one side of a building.  Furthermore, because high-rise buildings are often located in urban centers, traffic can significantly lengthen response times.  The intelligent aerial firefighting solution by EHang provides a better alternative for dealing with high-rise building fires.  With the fully-equipped EHang 216F AAVs and the command-and-control system, this solution offers comprehensive services including investigation, firefighting, rescue and emergency management.

Accelerating urbanization and building density are increasing fire hazards and creating more difficulties in firefighting.  According to a survey by China Fire Magazine, 233,000 fires were reported nationwide in 2019, among which 6,974 cases happened in high-rise buildings with a year-on-year growth of 10.6%.