Uber air launches in Australia
Aerial taxi service to trial in Melbourne and two US sitesRidesharing giant Uber has named Melbourne as one of three locations around the world for a revolutionary new aerial taxi trial.
No, for real.
The pioneering experiment will run concurrently with similar schemes in Dallas and Los Angeles, using the company’s ‘Uber Air’ pilot to connect major points of each respective city.
Uber plans to commence trial flights from 2020, with a fully-fledged commercial model operational from 2023.
The fleet will comprise small, electric aircraft with vertical take-off and landing technology (VTOL) that use roof tops and existing helipads as stopping points.
Uber’s announcement was made at the company's Elevate summit in Washington following a deal struck with Melbourne airport, Macquarie Capital, Scentre Group and Telstra.
"Australian governments have adopted a forward-looking approach to ridesharing and future transport technology," said Susan Anderson, regional general manager for Uber in Australia, New Zealand and North Asia.
"This, coupled with Melbourne's unique demographic and geospatial factors, and culture of innovation and technology, makes Melbourne the perfect third launch city for Uber Air.
"We will see other Australian cities following soon after."
Uber Air will have to navigate some hefty red tape before its plans can materialise.
Already, the governing Civil Aviation Safety Authority has flagged potential sticking points, including certification for battery-powered aircraft and mini-airports, airspace management and specialised pilot training.
That said, Uber and CASA have held constructive talks.
Elsewhere, Uber’s regular rideshare program is currently facing a class action lawsuit from Australian taxi drivers.
Uber officials conceded the idea of a pilotless program was some time off, but they are still bullish about the Melbourne trial.
"Melbourne is one of the world's most liveable cities and importantly it's innovations like this that demonstrate that we're at the leading edge of new technologies," Treasurer Tim Pallas told the ABC.
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