at CES 2020, the world’s largest consumer technology fair, uber and hyundai have announced a new partnership to develop air taxis for a future aerial ride-share network. to celebrate the collaboration, the two companies also unveiled a full-scale aircraft concept at the event. hyundai is the first automotive company to join the ‘uber elevate’ initiative, bringing automotive-scale manufacturing capability and a track record of mass-producing electric vehicles.

 

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uber and hyundai unveil full-scale flying taxi for aerial ride-sharing at CES 2020
image courtesy of hyundai (main image courtesy of uber)

 

 

as part of the collaboration, hyundai will produce and deploy the air vehicles, while uber will provide airspace support services, connections to ground transportation, and customer interfaces through an aerial ride-share network. in preparation for the announcement, hyundai worked with uber elevate to develop a personal air vehicle (PAV) model — called ‘S-A1’ — for aerial ride-sharing purposes.

uber and hyundai unveil full-scale flying taxi for aerial ride-sharing at CES 2020
image courtesy of hyundai

 

 

hyundai’s S-A1 model has been designed for a cruising speed of up to 180 miles/hr (290 km/hr), a cruising altitude of around 1,000-2,000 feet (300 – 600 meters) above ground, and flights of up to 60 miles (100 km). furthermore, the 100% electric vehicle utilizes distributed electric propulsion and, during peak hours, requires about five to seven minutes for recharging. the model is designed to take off vertically, transition to wing-borne lift in cruise, and then transition back to vertical flight to land.

uber and hyundai unveil full-scale flying taxi for aerial ride-sharing at CES 2020
image courtesy of hyundai

 

 

as the aircraft is equipped with several smaller rotors, noise is reduced relative to large rotor helicopters with combustion engines — an important consideration considering that the air taxis will primarily be used in urban environments. internally, the cabin is designed with four passenger seats, allowing riders to board and disembark easily and avoid the dreaded middle seat with enough space for a personal bag or backpack. the vehicle will be piloted initially, with a view to becoming autonomous in future.

uber and hyundai unveil full-scale flying taxi for aerial ride-sharing at CES 2020
image courtesy of hyundai

 

 

in addition, both parties are collaborating on infrastructure concepts to support take-off and landing for this new class of vehicles. hyundai’s exploration of future urban transportation incorporates the electric PAV concept with new ground transportation: ‘purpose built vehicles’ (PBV). meanwhile, a new infrastructure concept, called ‘the hub’, will support docked PBVs and PAVs, creating a new public space.

uber and hyundai unveil full-scale flying taxi for aerial ride-sharing at CES 2020
image courtesy of hyundai

uber and hyundai unveil full-scale flying taxi for aerial ride-sharing at CES 2020
image courtesy of hyundai

 

 

uber and hyundai unveil full-scale flying taxi for aerial ride-sharing at CES 2020
image © designboom

uber and hyundai unveil full-scale flying taxi for aerial ride-sharing at CES 2020
image © designboom

uber and hyundai unveil full-scale flying taxi for aerial ride-sharing at CES 2020
image © designboom

uber and hyundai unveil full-scale flying taxi for aerial ride-sharing at CES 2020
image © designboom

uber and hyundai unveil full-scale flying taxi for aerial ride-sharing at CES 2020
image © designboom

uber and hyundai unveil full-scale flying taxi for aerial ride-sharing at CES 2020
image © designboom

uber and hyundai unveil full-scale flying taxi for aerial ride-sharing at CES 2020
image © designboom

 

 

project info:

 

design: uber + hyundai
status: concept
event: CES 2020