By as soon as 2023, your Uber lift could be coming in from the sky as the international e-hailing service plans to partner with Hyundai to bring users flying taxis.
During the Consumer Electronics Show held in Las Vegas this year, the two companies unveiled their model for a new four-seat, electric vehicle that will fly travellers to their destinations, planned to launch in just a few years.
The companies announced that the first prototype of this futuristic vehicle will be completed by 2023. According to a Hyundai spokesperson, a pilot will be employed to drive the vehicle until software is developed to remotely and autonomously control it.
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Developments regarding flying cars are booming in recent years with a number of companies looking into developing such vehicles for short trips and even Google co-founder Larry Page himself investing in the technology.
As of October 2019, longtime NASA administrator Jaiwan Shin joined Hyundai’s ranks as the lead for its newly created air taxi division. The air taxi network in partnership with Uber is expected to be ready in 2023 as well.
Many aerospace experts, however, question this date saying more research and development is needed to safely fly air taxis. Along with these challenges companies including Uber and Hyundai will need to prove the viability of the new service and make it affordable for target markets. Experts like William Crossley from Purdue University told CNN this process could take 10 years.
Picture: YouTube