SELF-PILOTED flying taxis are being tested in New Zealand as part of a project backed by Google co-founder Larry Page that supporters say will revolutionise personal transport.

Since October last year, the drone-like invention has been seen flying over the South Island and will be for an estimated six years trial period with operations based around the city of Christchurch.

To those on the ground, it has always been unclear whether there was a pilot aboard.

New Zealand regulators on Tuesday approved plans for Zephyr Airworks, a subsidiary of Mr Page’s company Kitty Hawk, to develop and test the futuristic air taxis.

Known as Cora, the electric aircraft has a dozen lift fans on its wings, making it capable of vertical takeoff and landing like a helicopter.

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