On Uber’s quest to become a little more three-dimensional, the e-hailing company has previewed its helicopter-like air taxis on its menu, joining its car, motorcycle, and boat services. It’s doing so with the help of Joby Aviation, a start-up responsible for building the machines, leaving Uber to gather customers via its app.
Uber-cool taxis
That shouldn’t be tricky for Uber Air, as the company is calling it. While not available to the public yet, Uber confirmed that the service would become available to residents in Dubai before the end of the year. Some folks managed to get a good look at what’s in store for Uber Air at a preview event in Dubai earlier this week.
Whether it’ll make it out of Dubai remains to be seen. It doesn’t seem that far-fetched to imagine Uber’s airborne efforts eventually stretching to the US — the companies confirmed that Joby had begun the final stage of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) certification process — but the plans still aren’t solid.
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Ordering an Uber aircraft looks about as easy as summoning one meant for the ground, though it seems certain trips won’t be eligible. The aircraft seats up to four people, and includes a commercial pilot at the helm. The taxis are all-electric with a claimed range of roughly 160km (100 miles) before needing to charge up again. Six tilting propellers get the body off the ground before accelerating forward at a max speed of 320km/h.
If things go well, Uber hopes to expand its Air division to the places you’d expect — New York, Los Angeles, the UK, and Japan. That’s not to say the e-hailing service won’t ever swing this way one day… many years down the line. Assuming, of course, that Uber’s customers respond in the ‘right’ way.
