Uber and Hyundai have announced a new partnership at the CES 2020, where the latter will produce Air Taxis for Uber Elevate, an aerial ridesharing project that Uber has been dreaming about for almost 5 years now.
Hyundai thus became the first automotive company to join the Uber Elevate initiative. A concept electric aircraft called ‘S-A1’ was also showcased at the CES. The VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) capable aircraft is designed for a cruising speed of up to 180 mph (290 km/h), a cruising altitude of around 1,000-2,000 feet (300-600 metres) above ground, and a range of up to 60 miles (100 km).
The aircraft can accommodate up to 4 passengers (excluding pilot). Apparently, the aircraft will be piloted initially and will be autonomous at a later date. As we see in the renderings, there’ll be multiple rotors for propulsion; the aircraft will take off vertically, transition to wing-borne lift in cruise, and then transition back to vertical flight for landing. Hyundai says that the aircraft requires about 5 to 7 minutes for recharging.
Uber expects the Elevate service to be commercial by 2023.
As Hyundai taps its automotive industry experience to mass produce air taxis, we will be able to more quickly take Uber’s platform into the skies, expanding affordable and seamless transportation in cities around the world. – Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO, Uber
Also read: Opener BlackFly is Larry Page’s another flying car project
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