Digital platforms, the websites and apps which compete for our precious screen time, have successfully invaded the traditional territory of many sectors of the “old economy”. They have become the preferred – expected, even – domains for many kinds of human behaviour, from banking and property buying, to dating and entertainment.
We’d like to see an Uber driver’s face as the passenger strategically tries to fit two Great Danes into his Corolla. With the launch of Uber Pet, people can now do that.
We managed to get a peak at more shots of Uber Air’s reference design, so we’ve plonked them below for your ogling pleasure.
In the not too distant future, you will be able to order Uber Eats that will be delivered to you by drone, as the ride-sharing company announced a pilot with McDonald’s in San Diego. Using a current commercial drone Uber has been testing deliveries with the hamburger maker in the California city. Ultimately it plans to create a custom drone for delivering food in a custom box.
Uber Air will start test flights of its aerial taxi service in 2020, and move to commercial operations by 2023, the ABC reported. Melbourne, Dallas and Los Angeles have been named as three test cities for the trial.
If you were paying attention at any point in the past 24 hours, you’ll have noticed that Uber has announced something… new. That is, the first of its Uber Air vehicles, which will do just what your standard Uber will. More or less. Only, this time, you’ll be flying. As opposed to how you often feel when in an Uber at 4AM on a weekend.
Uber Air sees the ride-hailing company taking to the skies and hoping to trim commute times, albeit for a price.
The year of the tech IPO is 2019. Uber went public on May 10 with a US$82.4 billion valuation. Fellow ride-sharing app Lyft floated in March with a U$24 billion valuation and Pinterest had a US$10 billion IPO in April. More big names – including Slack, Airbnb, WeWork and Palantir – are set to follow.
This week on Light Start, we’ve got drone deliveries, silent drivers, a new animated DC film, and the loss of a very cranky feline.
There’s a new ride-hailing service in Johannesburg, and it lets you negotiate your fare with the driver.