Uber Elevate — The future of on-demand urban air transportation by UBER

@rrhoover This is really exciting. Hope they have an option of flying in a X Wing or The Bat!

@rrhoover @varundave a TIE Fighter too:)

@kalamyty A company has already tested this in Dubai to much celebration. The tech is already here.

@mbmusgrove Even with existing proof of concepts, it would still be a lengthy approval process through the FAA. Also, it doesn’t sound like Uber has that proof of concept yet

@mbmusgrove @kalamyty Uber has been successful at getting self driving cars on the road despite the regulations. I don't think that will be the hardest part of this technology.

@mbmusgrove @kalamyty @dillon1337 Regulations for driving and flying are much different, especially in SF, NYC and LA where you'd cross into airport airspace for most routes. If even the tiniest thing goes wrong in a flying car, you crash and die. People won't be as willing to try this kind of unregulated tech.

@kalamyty @dillon1337 @fanahova Have no doubt: it will be super-regulated, I assure you. Nothing in the US isn't, down to flippin' cough medicine.

@techmeditator The website you linked to says a manned flight isn't until 2019 and being able to fly in one won't be until 2025...

@techmeditator sadly, I think it will take much much longer. Even if the tech/experience is ready for market, and ready to scale (which is unlikely, I think), the government will slow things up. Look at the timelines for autonomous vehicles or Amazon drones...

There are plans in Texas to do this, but I have a feeling that landowners will kill this project. http://www.texascentral.com/

Uber focused on the high-end market first, and then launched UberX which is usually cheaper than cabs.

We can not do high end rails because we are too late to market. By the time we build the infrastructures (which would cost trillions of dollars) the technology will be out of date (because of VTOL and such). We also have billions of dollars in broken roads, crumbling bridges, and other traditional infrastructure that needs to be fixed. No one is willing to spend this money to fix existing infrastructure, let alone invest in new infrastructure. There is also low consumer demand of trains. I live in Chicago where people drive + take trains and public transit. If we lived in a society where EVERYONE took public transit (like Japan, Europe, etc where they have high speed rails) then the cost is worth it. It's unfortunate that high-speed rail is not viable in America, hopefully technology such as this will close costs for long distance travel.

Great comment , we want to go fast , or new generation want to go fast as eletronics do usually ................but take care , TESLA cars is in BIG DIFFICULTIES , finish to dream ......they get more money from investor than what they are relly able to do......... A flying car is 100 times difficult , I build Ferrari F40-F50...:Bugatti EB110 ........................till Lambo Reventon , Veneno , Sesto Elemento and now Centenario.........working for Agusta Helicopters, Aermacchi and Dragon Fly (little 2 place helicopters...)......I have a question : Does Uber want to fly electric?????????????? They will do all in house as Tesla??? No partnership with a top payer of helicopters or aircraft ???? Why same projects , 20 years old are still not for sale ? Uber crazily want to do it in 2 years , because they has ZERO experiences in developing a new vehicle who has to fly and land ...........100 times more complicated than a urban car.......and off course has to be self drive , You looks on Your side everyday how the peoples drive their cars?????? You feel safe with these peoples driving a flying car under Your houses ?hahahah What is sure is who new generation in crowfounfing can give than 10 Bilion $ in advance ............................but experince isn't for sale , ..........if want to make that flying taxi full electric will need 10 years ! One day I please think about and get information in the materials specification of what is used inside of batteries ...............who produce EV has to sign who end of life battery will be collected from them and recycled (not in tahiland trued in the sea as big vassels).....recycled properly ! They never do it because have to close all plant right now , immediately ..........recycling will destry all profits and will produce debts ......... De Tomaso cars in Italy produced a prototype of a EV city car in the '60...........still working .......and on this modern just more tecnology or new engines but 70% of the tecnology is same .............( ops now You have a big screan , touch screan who make all You crazy loving the car........... Before be influenced from this famous peoples of the Valley , study and serch information on vantages and disadvantages.......... Sorry for my bad english !!!!!!!!!!!! cesare

@megaroeny I tend to agree with you, however we already have this risk with helicopters and personal jets. The on-board AI system could also help minimize the damage if something goes wrong.

@mommi84 @johnechambers Then I just hope they're powered by electric or something else that's clean 😜

@megaroeny @mommi84 How many helicopters/planes are in the air compared to cars on the road?

@megaroeny I hope so too! @lamaalrajih I doubt flying cars are going to reach even a hundredth of the number of cars on the road.

Last thing I'll day is noise pollution. One reason I love Elon Musk's idea for the Boring company is noise reduction!! I hate trying to have s nice walk somewhere and there's tons of road noise. Flying things won't help with that. Drones alone are super loud already. I watched the video and if they can deliver on everything they say, I'll be blown away. Especially making them quiet and electric. Also noticed that the CEO of Chargepoint is backing them. So I trust his judgement. Absolutely love Chargepoint.

@tmatthewj Yeah, I did a double take to ensure it wasn't April 1st as well. At least when this becomes reality, hopefully the roads can become less congested and I can finally go back to driving :)

@rrhoover @ivandothetrick @nikhil_goel Very cool. I wrote about a concept like this a few years ago. What are your cost/pricing predictions at scale?