Hyundai and Uber team up to develop all-electric flying taxis

In the midst of technological advancements increasing at a commendable pace, Uber’s flying taxi initiative seems to be edging closer to reality – the reality of establishing flying cars in the near future. The ride-hailing giant has apparently joined hands with one of the largest automotive manufacturers, Hyundai Motors to unveil the concept of flying taxi.

The S-A1, combinedly built under the partnership is expected to handle the Uber Air trips in the upcoming years. Speculations have it that the project is expectedly not a break from the companies’ ongoing projects but is an add-on project in the portfolio made into an extremely flexible vehicle.

As per credible reports, the all-electric aircraft is made to carry as many as four passengers onboard whilst cruising at speeds of up to 180MPH for the trips covering the distance of over 60 miles. Claims have it that the first few rides of the vehicle would involve the assistance of a pilot after which it would be made fully autonomous.

Moreover, the company has tentatively pronounced the future hub locations for the project which would connect the flying taxis just like Uber’s to the ground-based autonomous vehicles.

Under the partnership pact, the automaker would manufacture and deploy the taxis, whilst Uber would supply the ‘airspace support services’ links to the on ground transport and interfaces for the rides. The companies are reportedly sharing their works and ideas on the infrastructural concepts for these vehicles.

Uber has claimed that Hyundai, being an evident car maker would emerge to be the key to an international debut whilst reducing the cost of the flying taxis. Meanwhile, Hyundai finds the partnership a perfect opportunity to become a smart mobility solution provider over time.

According to official sources, this new project is likely to turn out to be a gradual shift for Uber’s Elevate program, which is currently laying the foundation for the company’s tentative project launch in 2023.

Source credit: https://www.engadget.com/2020/01/06/hyundai-and-uber-flying-taxi-concept/?guccounter=1