AAV technology platform EHang has launched the world's first large-payload intelligent aerial firefighting solution. Based on the EHang 216, the EHang 216F firefighting version is specially designed for high-rise firefighting. The company believes the EHang 216F can become essential equipment for thousands of fire stations across China and eventually around the world.

At a recent global launch ceremony in Yunfu, China, EHang revealed the 216F and demonstrated its ability to extinguish a high-rise fire. With a maximum flight altitude of 600 metres, the 216F can carry up to 150 litres of firefighting foams and six fire extinguisher bombs in a single trip. The aircraft uses a visible light zoom camera to quickly identify the location of fire, before hovering precisely in position and using 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.

Founder, chairman and CEO Huazhi Hu says: “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.”

Weiqiang Chen, the head of a fire station in Yunfu, China, adds: “Firefighting and rescue is a race against death. By taking advantage of the rapid response and centralised management of the EHang AAV platform, we can greatly improve the effectiveness of our efforts.

“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 five kilometre radius. EHang's autopilot and centralised 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.

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 metres, and their operations are often limited to one side of a building. Furthermore, because high-rise buildings are often located in urban centres, 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 urbanisation 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 per cent.