Flying Cars-Uber Elevate

Hello ATS,

Here's an update to Uber's flying car program that Uber is aggressively pursuing called the Uber Elevate program. This program will work by use of terminals or "skyports" where passengers will be able to board air taxis to go to a destination. The goal is for operations to begin in 2023 with the first tests of this new system to begin as early as 2020. Dallas and Los Angeles are on board to be the first markets to test Uber Elevate; Melbourne has also joined in as an initial test market for demonstrator flights.

Here is one of several possible designs:

Uber is building the future of aerial ridesharing. In 2023, Uber plans to give riders the option of an affordable shared flight. Uber is working closely with federal and local policymakers to develop an aerial offering that’s safe, quiet, and environmentally conscious, and that extends the reach of existing transportation options.

We have convened leaders across industry and government—vehicle designers, manufacturers, investors, operators, infrastructure providers, policymakers, and regulators—to build this future of urban aviation and begin testing in cities as early as 2020.

Uber is partnering with other companies in the VTOL market as well which include Boeing, and Hyundai as well as others looking to develop their own flying vehicles. The vehicles in this Uber program aren't flying cars for individuals, however. Still, this will be cool if it happens! I don't see any infrastructure being built for this new system yet. 2023 is just three years out but I haven't seen or heard of any "Skyports" being built. Anyone else have any info to share on this? What says ATS?

www.uber.com...

a reply to: lostbook

I wouldn't hold your breath.. certainly not for Elon Musk to be the one to accomplish this.

Here's a great resource that covers all of the promises/statements Elon Musk has made that haven't come to fruition:

Elon Musk Today

Here's one of my favorites:

2,899 days since Elon Musk said Tesla will never need to raise capital again. (2/12/2012)

Since saying that, here's a list of capital raises... lol

2,670 days since Elon Musk raised $195.7M in common stock. (9/28/2012)
2,440 days since Elon Musk raised $313M in common stock. (5/16/2013)
2,440 days since Elon Musk raised $600M in convertible notes. (5/16/2013)
2,153 days since Elon Musk raised $2B in convertible notes. (2/27/2014)
1,621 days since Elon Musk raised $652.2M in common stock. (8/13/2015)
1,335 days since Elon Musk raised $1.4B in common stock (excluding Musk's $600M sale). (5/25/2016)
1,405 days since Elon Musk raised $350M in common stock. (3/16/2016)
1,040 days since Elon Musk raised $850M in convertible notes. (3/16/2017)
886 days since Elon Musk raised $1.8B in high yield notes. (8/17/2017)
263 days since Elon Musk raised $850M in common stock. (5/2/2019)
263 days since Elon Musk raised $1.2B in convertible notes. (5/2/2019)

originally posted by: FamCore
a reply to: lostbook

I wouldn't hold your breath.. certainly not for Elon Musk to be the one to accomplish this.
Here's a great resource that covers all of the promises/statements Elon Musk has made that haven't come to fruition:
Elon Musk Today

Here's one of my favorites:

2,899 days since Elon Musk said Tesla will never need to raise capital again. (2/12/2012)

Since saying that, here's a list of capital raises... lol

2,670 days since Elon Musk raised $195.7M in common stock. (9/28/2012)
2,440 days since Elon Musk raised $313M in common stock. (5/16/2013)
2,440 days since Elon Musk raised $600M in convertible notes. (5/16/2013)
2,153 days since Elon Musk raised $2B in convertible notes. (2/27/2014)
1,621 days since Elon Musk raised $652.2M in common stock. (8/13/2015)
1,335 days since Elon Musk raised $1.4B in common stock (excluding Musk's $600M sale). (5/25/2016)
1,405 days since Elon Musk raised $350M in common stock. (3/16/2016)
1,040 days since Elon Musk raised $850M in convertible notes. (3/16/2017)
886 days since Elon Musk raised $1.8B in high yield notes. (8/17/2017)
263 days since Elon Musk raised $850M in common stock. (5/2/2019)
263 days since Elon Musk raised $1.2B in convertible notes. (5/2/2019)

I like Elon Musk a lot. However, this has nothing to do with him as far as I know. However, I'm not holding my breath either. I used to be excited for Terrafugia and its Transition flying car. Remember them? I remember the big disappointment.

a reply to: lostbook

Lol nvm that was definitely an off-topic post! I was conflating Elon Musk's "robo taxi" lie with Uber's plans for flying cars. Please forgive me!

originally posted by: FamCore
a reply to: lostbook

Lol nvm that was definitely an off-topic post! I was conflating Elon Musk's "robo taxi" lie with Uber's plans for flying cars. Please forgive me!

It's ok. Thanks for your input!

a reply to: lostbook

a reply to: smurfy

Thanks! I get the feeling that it's for-real this time.

a reply to: lostbook

If Boeing can't get their 737 Max to fly why would I trust getting into a flying lawn chair?

originally posted by: AugustusMasonicus
a reply to: lostbook

If Boeing can't get their 737 Max to fly why would I trust getting into a flying lawn chair?

I feel much the same way. These are going to be AI, right? If Google Maps is any indication for how AI will fly cars...isnt enough money to put me in one of their seats.

If human piloted...thats damn sure a highskilled job...all taxi/uber drivers need a pilots license?

a reply to: BlueJacket

I'll stick with commercial flying and let other people beta test this tech. I like scotchy scotch weekends too much to die right now.

a reply to: AugustusMasonicus
Indeed, with these we could be enjoying a scotch people watchin on a deck...lo, theres an uber elevate accident...cant move it to the side of the road, it just falls to the ground...hopefully not on us enjoying scotch!

a reply to: BlueJacket

Well, to be honest, if you were drinking something I wanted I might not be too sad if it fell on you.

a reply to: AugustusMasonicus

I like the peetier scotches

a reply to: lostbook

It should be fun watching them navigate around all of the Amazon delivery drones. Oh yeah, that never happened either.

So, not only will you have to pay attention to cars hitting you from the ground, now you will have to watch out for cars coming at you from the sky. I thought we were supposed to be making our lives less stressful with technology?

www.youtube.com...

originally posted by: underpass61
a reply to: lostbook

It should be fun watching them navigate around all of the Amazon delivery drones. Oh yeah, that never happened either.

As long as nobody is eating anything in those flying cars, the Seaguls will probably not be attacking them trying to steal their frenchfries.

originally posted by: lostbook
...first tests of this new system to begin as early as 2020.

I don't know. I just can't see this taking off.

I'll get my coat.

originally posted by: youcanttellthepeople

originally posted by: lostbook
...first tests of this new system to begin as early as 2020.

I don't know. I just can't see this taking off.
I'll get my coat.

Yeah, it's kinda one of those "i'll believe it when i see it" kinds things.

Unless I can land and take off from my own parking space without having to drive or take a bus to the airport, and then again at my destination, what's the point?

If nothing else, noise, evironmental issues and insurance costs will keep all this stuff on the ground.

originally posted by: Blue Shift
Unless I can land and take off from my own parking space without having to drive or take a bus to the airport, and then again at my destination, what's the point?

If nothing else, noise, environmental issues and insurance costs will keep all this stuff on the ground.

According to the website, it will get passengers to their destinations faster than traditional methods. I am also disappointed that it's not actual flying cars and more of a flying taxi service but at least it's a step in the right direction.