The Vahana team's goal is to leverage new and emerging technologies like electric propulsion and machine vision to "democratize personal flight." Their drone only lifted off the ground and touched back down during its first set of tests -- they definitely have a long road ahead to get it ready for forward flight -- but it was a huge deal for the team and the company. If they succeed, Airbus could eventually use the drone for an autonomous passenger network that will give people a way to hail a flying taxi to get to where they want to go.

When Airbus first announced its plans to develop a self-flying taxi, it sounded like a fever dream of a sci-fi fan. Now, the aerospace giant has proven that it wasn't joking: Airbus' Vahana team have successfully flown their autonomous air taxi dubbed "Alpha One" for the first time. Sure, it only reached an altitude of 16 feet and remained in the air for 53 seconds before descending, but it did so while fully self-piloted. The team conducted another test flight the day after, and by the sound of things, that one also went well. Airbus created the project to "democratize personal flight" by leveraging all the latest technologies, including machine vision and electric propulsion.

Remember that tiny flying taxi that caused a buzz at CES 2016? That's right, the egg-shaped contraption that resembles a kind of giant quadcopter. Well, it seems the simply named "184" vehicle is ready to take to the skies this summer, ferrying paying passengers around the Emirati city of Dubai, according to an AP report. Developed by Chinese firm EHang, the 184 takes its name from having one passenger, eight propellors, and four arms. Perhaps there should be a "0" too, for zero pilots.