“These concepts are neutral ground that Uber has put together, so we can share insights with all of our partners” says Rob McDonald, Uber’s head of vehicle engineering. Uber first announced its flying auto plans in 2016 when it released a white paper describing its vision of the future. When the Olympics come to Los Angeles in 2028, Uber expects to have hundreds, if not thousands, of its aircraft in the skies.
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Although they will be piloted at first, Uber’s goal is for these aircrafts to be unmanned.
The taxi and food-delivery company also announced it’s re-opening a contest to find an global city in which to launch one of its flying cab services, after delays in Dubai. “That’s when you should be able to pull out your app and see UberPool, UberX, Uber Air”.
The San Francisco-based company has faced criticism in many cities around the world for out-competing unionized taxis, and replacing the sector with non-contracted, non-union workers. They will have a loading area where passengers get dropped off and picked up by Uber cars, charging stations for the electric batteries, passenger lounges and security areas.
An overgrown field in Frisco will be the first vertiport in the Dallas area.
Uber Technologies Inc. plans to collaborate with the U.S. Army on research on quiet aircraft rotor technology as a part of its own program to develop flying taxi vehicles and services.Specifically, .
Uber is aiming to begin its flight-enabled taxi service by 2023, proposing how their service will host thousands of the vessels across the rooftops.
The company yesterday revealed its flying auto prototype, capable of vertical takeoff and landing and able to fly between 1 000 and 2 000 feet above the ground.
“For me the aha moment came when I started understanding that Uber isn’t just about cars”, Khosrowshahi said.
While some reports have suggested that new Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi has been hesitant about the company developing its own self-driving auto technology, he seems to be supportive of Uber Elevate.
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Uber’s flying taxis will be a fleet of jet powered vehicles, running on rotors capable of vertical take off and landing and horizontal flight.
