Uber to launch flying car service in Sydney and Melbourne
Flying to work could soon become the new norm.
Ride-sharing company Uber is planning to launch a new flying car service, Uber Elevate, in Sydney and Melbourne in the near future.
While the company have previously announced their plans to launch in Dubai and Dallas, United States in 2020, Uber are now investigating the possibility of introducing their new flying cars to two of our major cities.
Ride-sharing company Uber is planning to launch a new flying car service, Uber Elevate, (design pictured) in Sydney and Melbourne
Uber Elevate are planning to roll out their flying cars (pictured is an artist's impression) in Sydney and Melbourne by 2023
Uber said their flying cars would shorten a trip dramatically, making travel more economical
Uber chief product officer Jeff Holden told News Corp their air travel project was something they were 'dead serious' about launching, where the futuristic aviation service could be introduced by 2023 in Australia.
'If I wanted to get to Bondi from the city [with Uber Elevate], I could be there in just five minutes,' Mr Holden said.
'That's a very exciting concept.'
The journey from Bondi to central Sydney is 7.9km and usually takes at least 15 minutes by car.
Uber's flying cars are a specially designed vertical-takeoff-and-landing (VTOL) aircraft which would use rechargeable batteries and could fit several passengers.
The aircraft would have fixed wings with tilt prop-rotors, making it significantly quieter than a helicopter.
The ride-hailing giant, who is working with five aircraft manufacturing companies, are also planning to convert rooftops to 'vertiports' so the flying cars could land, take off and recharge.
The aircraft would have fixed wings with tilt prop-rotors, making it quieter than a helicopter
Uber have their sights set on Melbourne (pictured) and Sydney to roll out their Uber Elevate
Uber chief product officer Jeff Holden said a trip from Bondi to central Sydney would take five minutes
The company claims one charge would last a 160km journey.
With traffic congestion getting worse in Melbourne and Sydney, Mr Holden said Uber Elevate would be more economical than driving a car.
Uber claims their flying taxis could complete a two-hour-and-12-minute car ride in just 15 minutes by air.
While the service may seem like something for the rich and famous, Uber have said a trip would cost roughly the same price as an UberX fare.