Uber reveals details of Melbourne’s new flying taxi
UBER has released details of the Jetsons-style flying car that will put Melbourne commuters in the air by 2023.
Technology
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UBER is closer to realising its vision for launching flying cars over Melbourne after the ride-sharing giant revealed a new partnership with the Hyundai Motor Company and a full-scale model of the vehicle it plans to produce.
The companies unveiled the futuristic creation at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on Tuesday, with plans to let visitors see the aircraft up close when show doors open on Wednesday.
Uber Elevate Australian head Natalie Malligan said the company’s partnership with an established motoring firm was a “significant advancement” in its Jetsons-style plans to put commuters in the air.
Hyundai will be the first Uber Air partner with the capabilities to mass produce “air taxis” for the unique project that will launch in just three cities by 2023: Los Angeles, Dallas, and Melbourne.
Demonstration flights are due to be held this year.
“Announcements at the world’s foremost technology event, CES, underline the global significance of Melbourne’s direct involvement in the Uber Air program as the first city outside of the United States to be involved in this pioneering endeavour,” Ms Malligan said.
“I am proud to be welcoming another strong partner in Hyundai to the Uber Air team.”
Hyundai’s new “personal air vehicle,” dubbed the S-A1, is an electric vertical take-off-and-landing aircraft designed to fly at speeds of up 290km/hr and up to 600m high for trips of up to 100km.
The concept vehicle features 10 rotors and propellers to reduce noise and “any single point of failure,” and is designed to be piloted at first but be flown autonomously later.
The S-A1 will be capable of accommodating four passengers at a time, with space in the middle of rows for a handbag or backpack.
Hyundai spokesman Jaiwon Shin said the aircraft could revolutionise the way people travel, and allow them to live further away from their workplace.
“Our vision of urban air mobility will transform the concept of urban transportation,” he said.
“We expect UAM to vitalise urban communities and provide more quality time to people. We are confident that Uber Elevate is the right partner to make this innovative product readily available to as many customers as possible.”
Uber has previously partnered with several aviation companies including Boeing’s Aurora Flight Sciences, Embraer, Karem Aircraft, and Bell, which produced a concept vehicle the company showed off in Washington last year.
Its Australian partners also include Macquarie Capital to develop launch pads dubbed Skyports, as well as the Scentre Group and Telstra.
The company plans to see Uber Air vehicles transport Australian commuters between Melbourne’s city and Tullamarine airport at first, cutting the journey from an hour to just 10 minutes, with costs similar to a luxury Uber Black ride.
Despite the new development, Ms Malligan said Uber Air remained a “long-term project” for the company, which would work with “local stakeholders and communities” to establish landing facilities and the right routes.
“This is an exciting moment, but it is still the beginning of our journey,” she said.
Originally published as Uber reveals details of Melbourne’s new flying taxi