The ride-hailing firm Uber is upbeat about its long-awaited airborne taxi service dubbed “Uber Air.” This could become a reality by 2023. The company had shared prototype digital designs of the vehicle. It has now advanced to the stage of completion and is getting closer to takeoff. There will be some more tests next year before it gets the necessary permission to fly.
It will have to follow existing guidelines on flying in city airspace.
The company has taken the wraps off its air taxi and invited the public to get a closer view of its interior. Uber has assured that the cost of a ride by its air taxi would be cheaper than a traditional helicopter ride. It will be an application of Renewable Energy.
Daily Mail UK reports the ride-hailing firm Uber plans to launch the service first in Dallas followed by Los Angeles. Subsequently, it will extend its reach to cover other areas. It displayed a model of the vehicle in Washington, DC. The occasion was its annual 'Uber Elevate' flying taxi conference.
Description of the air taxi vehicle
It seems the interior of an uber air taxi is similar to a traditional helicopter but many typical conveniences are not there. The basic logic is simple enough because it assigns a duration of 20 minutes from pickup to drop-off of which about eight minutes is the flying time. For such short duration, many conveniences become redundant. French aerospace company Safran designed the interior and it has retained only the essentials. Purpose of these vehicles is to ferry passengers to their destination speedily.
Daily Mail UK adds that the vehicles do exhibit a certain amount of luxury. The design of the seat allows the occupant to turn it to face towards the window.
That way, the passenger can avoid interaction with others. There are windows on both sides and they offer a clear view of the outside. Electric blue lighting operates when the air taxi is on the move and it turns white when passengers disembark.
Melbourne will also hold trials of Uber air taxi
According to the Guardian, Melbourne will be the first city outside the United States that will get to host trials of Uber Air. It beat other contenders from Brazil, France, India and Japan. The service dubbed as “aerial ridesharing” will ferry people from rooftop to rooftop. They will Travel across a network of landing pads called “Skyports”.
The company expects to conduct test flights next year, and hopes to begin commercial operations in 2023.
The Guardian reported Uber spokesman Eric Allison explaining - “The 19km journey from the CBD to Melbourne airport can take anywhere from 25 minutes to around an hour by car in peak hour, but with Uber Air this will take around 10 minutes.” The concept will reduce traffic congestion. Germany also has plans of an air taxi and it could become a popular mode of travel in metros.