Uber Everywhere: Uber Desires to Dominate Transportation via Flying Cars

Uber is hands down one of the best transportation methods. However, Uber is hoping to take things to the next level with flying cars. Learn more here!

Flightsharing you say?

What if we told you flying cars will exist soon?

How about a ridesharing service for flying automobiles?

Yep, you guessed it.

Uber, the popular ridesharing service, plans on replicating their services…but with flying cars!

They, as well as Google, head to the races to design flying automobiles.

In fact, Uber has published and released a 98-page white paper about this. The title: “Fast-Forwarding to a Future of On-Demand Urban Air Transportation.”

In it, the whitepaper details Uber’s motives, benefits, and barriers concerning air transportation.

But why should we care?

Well, the stats show we are in great need of this service.

According to Uber’s whitepaper, San Franciscans spend 230 hours commuting per year. That’s roughly 9.5 days! You could be reading 57.5 books. Or running about 53 marathons.

You think that’s bad?

Los Angeles and Sydney residents spend roughly 7 weeks commuting per year. Break that down and you’re looking at 1,176 hours!

The point is, we need a faster transportation system. Uber knows this.

Read on to learn more about Uber’s main points concerning air transportation. Plus, when will we see the cars in action, let alone sit in one?

The Key Takeaways

Uber’s flying rideshare service will be called Elevate.

The “cars” won’t actually be cars. More like an in-between car and airplane. However, it will function like a taxi. Meaning you’ll hail “the taxi” the same way you get an Uber. Go to the site or application via your smartphone. Voila!

But, unlike Uber’s current rideshare program, you’ll need to go to designated Elevate hubs. And, the “flying car” may not land exactly at your designated location. This means a possible Uber from the flying automobile.

Nonetheless, the 2009 startup plans on these flying cars to be self-driven.

Not too shabby.

Uber already is in the self-driving industry. As of now, it’s providing ridesharing services with self-driving Volvo cars.

Current infrastructure adapts to flying cars

But what about our current flight systems? Where will the Elevate flying cars park?

Of course, there will need to be some adjustments. Flight paths and our current flight system may need some tweaks. Plus, Elevate will need to undergo extensive regulations and policies.

That’s the harder of the two. As for parking, Uber states parking lot roofs can be converted to Elevate hubs. Plus, most cities have areas designed for helicopter or plane take-offs and landings. So, problem solved.

Challenges

Surprisingly, the biggest challenges aren’t in the design and engineering itself. Actually, it’s the strict regulations—”red tape” so to speak.

Besides this, Elevate faces aircraft reliability, control, and safety barriers. Not to mention, current limitations with battery technology.

This doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Actually, quite the opposite. Uber plans on launching Elevate within the next decade. Right now, they’re looking for stockholders and financial backers.

They’ve also hired researchers from Carnegie Mellon University to work with them.

Benefits

Needless to say, Elevate will save people money and time.

This quote from a USA Today article though says it all. “[A] 45-mile pool VTOL…would replace a 60-mile car ride for potentially as $21. And the trek would only be 15 minutes.”

So, yes, the Flinstones have arrived.

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