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Gadget Of The Week: Hyundai-Uber Flying Taxi At The CES 2020

Hyundai and Uber seem closest to making flying taxis reality as they displayed their concept vehicle at the CES 2020.

 

Like all the previous Customer Electronics Shows (CES), the 2020 edition was a spectacle as well. Participants that were able to make it to the Las Vegas show were thrilled by the sights. They have been serving enthusiasts following the event on social media tasty tech pictures.

 

Companies expanding into new fields showcased their new technologies at the show. One of the most captivating concepts at the CES 2020 is the Hyundai-Uber flying taxi.

 

Hyundai and Uber have been working on the futuristic vehicle for some years now. However, this recent show off may imply that they are close to achieving their goal. On the CES stage, the Korean car manufacturing company presented a model of their flying car; the S-A1.

 

Also, the company showed that it had plans to build infrastructures that will enable the proper running of the flying taxis. For example, it revealed plans to build hubs that will have landing pads on the roof. It also plans to make minibusses called Purpose-Built Vehicles (PBV) to carry passengers from and to pick-up and dropoff locations.

 

Hyundai and Uber flying taxi ces 2020
Hyundai and Uber flying taxi model

 

This flying taxi uses popular eVTOL technology. It is powered by rotors and can thus take off like a helicopter, removing the need for runway space. However, since the machine is using an electric engine, it also removes the discomfort from the fossil-fuel-powered engines.

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As it is a taxi, it will be able to only achieve short distant flights between places in cities. The S-A1 can seat five passengers and one pilot. It is constructed from carbon composite materials that are lightweight.

 

Also, its many rotors ensure that in case of technical malfunctions, it can still stay in the air. Eric Allison, Uber Elevate head said:

 

“Hyundai is our first vehicle partner with experience of manufacturing passenger cars on a global scale,

 

“We believe Hyundai has the potential to build Uber Air vehicles at rates unseen in the current aerospace industry, producing high quality, reliable aircraft at high volumes to drive down passenger costs per trip.”

 

He also added:

 

“Combining Hyundai’s manufacturing muscle with Uber’s technology platform represents a giant leap forward for launching a vibrant air taxi network in coming years.”

 

Hyundai also disclosed that the taxis will allow people to move faster without the constraint of gridlocks and heavy traffic. Nothing was said on when to expect the vehicles.

 

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Onwuasoanya Obinna

A reader of books and stringer of words. Passionate about Science and Tech. When not writing or reading he is surfing the web and Tweeting.

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