At the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), ride-hailing company Uber has announced a new partnership with automotive manufacturer Hyundai Motor to develop an all-electric air taxi for a future aerial transportation network.
Hyundai, who is the first company to join the Uber Elevate initiative, will utilize its experience and capability of manufacturing electric vehicles.
“Our vision of Urban Air Mobility will transform the concept of urban transportation,” said Jaiwon Shin, Executive Vice President and Head of Hyundai’s Urban Air Mobility (UAM) Division. “We expect UAM to vitalize urban communities and provide more quality time to people. We are confident that Uber Elevate is the right partner to make this innovative product readily available to as many customers as possible.”
“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,” said Eric Allison, head of Uber Elevate. Combining Hyundai’s manufacturing muscle with Uber’s technology platform represents a giant leap forward for launching a vibrant air taxi network in the coming years.”
As part of the announcement, an air vehicle concept by Hyundai was released. Called S-A1, the vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft is powered by distributed electric propulsion.
Composed of multiple rotors and propellers, the all-electric S-A1 will emit less noise when compared to a large rotor helicopter with a combustion engine.
Capable of cruising 290 km/h (180 mi/h) at an altitude of approximately 1,000-2,000 feet (300 – 600 mt), S-A1’s max range is roughly 100 km (60 mi).
Although initially piloted, S-A2 will eventually become autonomous.
