Incredible images and video footage have captured the first manned flight of an autonomous drone that could revolutionise the daily commute.

Passenger Drone took to the skies with a pilot aboard to test out the aerial craft's capabilities.

The aptly named red vehicle can fly at a top speed of around 45 mph with a flight range of up to 25 minutes.

PASSENGER DRONE SPECIFICATIONS Empty Weight (including batteries) : 520lbs (240kg) Maximum Take Off Weight: 800lbs (360kg) Maximum Thrust : 1230lbs (560kg) Maximum Payload : 270lbs (120kg) Maximum Speed: 45mph (60 to 70km/h) Flight time: 20 to 25 minutes (without range extender) Dimensions (L x W x H): 165″ x 90″ x 70″ (4.2 m x 2.3 m x 1.8 m) Two Passenger Seats 16 Engines and Propellers Advertisement

Passenger Drone can be piloted manually or passengers can simply select their destination, sit back and relax, as the drone takes control.

Flight testing of the vertical take off and landing (VTOL) craft began in early May and for the last few months it has undergone intensive assessments.

Experts at the company, based in California, used different simulated payload weights, engine failures and control modes, before field testing began.

It was then put through its paces without a pilot onboard and, following successful testing, in August 2017 the first manned flights took place.

Footage of the first flight, which was around two to three miles (roughly four km), was released this week as part of the product's official launch.

In a written statement, a company spokesman said: 'On-demand aviation and manned drones has the potential to radically transform how we get from place to place, and to restore precious lost family and personal time to commuters worldwide.

'Overall, the lower cost and improved flexibility provided by aerial drone technology may afford compelling solutions for individuals, businesses or governments worldwide.

'Passenger Drone is excited and passionate about the potential benefits, and positive impact VTOL urban air transportation can offer.'

Equipped with 16 electric engines, the firms says Passenger Drone is a low-noise, high-speed, and economical mean of transportation with zero emissions.

Incredible images and video footage have captured the first manned flight of an autonomous drone that could revolutionise the daily commute

Passenger Drone took to the skies with a pilot aboard to test out the aerial craft's capabilities back in August, but the footage has just been released to mark its official launch

The aptly named red vehicle can fly at a top speed of around 54 mph with a flight range of up to 25 minutes

Passenger Drone can be piloted manually or passengers can simply select their destination, sit back and relax, as the drone takes control

Its engine system is less complex than most quad-copters, which the firm says provides enhanced safety, performance, greater payload and range.

It also claims it produces less noise than other models already available on the marketplace.

The vehicle's structure is composed of lightweight and strong carbon fibre composites, especially created for Passenger Drone.

The avionics, stability systems and electrical control systems have been custom designed especially for the company.

Passenger Drone's internal communications are transmitted through fibre optics.

Equipped with 16 electric engines, the firms says Passenger Drone is a low-noise, high-speed, and economical mean of transportation with zero carbon emissions

Its engine system is less complex than most quad-copters, which the firm says provides enhanced safety, performance, greater payload and range. They also claim it produces less noise than other models already available on the marketplace

The vehicle's structure is composed of lightweight and strong carbon fibre composites, specially created for Passenger Drone. It can carry up to two passengers at a time

The avionics, stability systems and electrical control systems have been custom designed especially for the company

With the exception of the main power cables, there are no other wires in the entire aircraft.

From the connection between the control joystick, main control CPU, engine controllers and the navigation screens, everything is communicated by light.

This is designed to ensure the safety, reliability, and security of the drone.

The 16 individual rotors are all powered separately to enhance stability, cohesion, and redundancy.

Its creators believe that social and economic benefits of such a vehicle are numerous.

In cities around the world, traffic congestion costs commuters millions of hours every year and billions in lost productivity.

Passenger Drone's internal communications are transmitted through fibre optics. With the exception of the main power cables, there are no other wires in the entire aircraft

Flight testing of the vertical take off and landing (VTOL) craft began in early May and for the last few months it has undergone intensive assessments

Experts at the US company, based in California, which created it used different simulated payload weights, engine failures and control modes, before field testing began

The average travel time to work in the United States is 25.4 minutes, representing almost an hour every day, and just under two weeks annually.

In 2016, the total cost of congestion to all drivers in the US was £226 billion ($300 billion) including environmental costs, according to Passenger Drone.

That total is expected to rise by 50 per cent over the next fifteen years.

In many global megacities, the situation is far worse.

Over time, many firms believe that VTOLs could have the potential to become the go-to form of daily transportation, surpassing that of owning a car.

Air travel has historically been seen as an expensive proposition, due in great part to the small volume of production in the aerospace industry.

Mass production of vehicles like the Passenger Drone could potentially revolutionise transport methods in the future.

It was then put through its paces without a pilot onboard before a first manned flight was conducted. This image shows how the information displayed mid flight might appear