Dubai's Civil Aviation Authority has also had mixed success with drones. Back in 2017, permission was granted for a dedicated drone taxi service which launched in the emirate that July. Using a touchscreen, commuters and tourists were able to choose from a selection of pre-set destinations. Once they'd selected their destination, the taxi drone, piloted and monitored from a remote command center, would ake off and fly them there in next to no time. In theory.

The service was a collaboration between Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority and Chinese drone firm Beijing Yi-Hang Creation Science & Technology Co. However, it's unclear whether these taxis were ever rolled out widely.