Uber Proposes Jetsons-Like Network Of Flying Cars

In a white paper that was released this week, Uber's chief product officer detailed a plan involving a network of small, electric aircraft vehicles that would be able to take-off and land vertically. The plan is to have this network aid in easing traffic congestion and enable more speedy and reliable commuting.

Uber themselves aren't looking to construct the vehicles, but they have detailed plans on how other companies who are looking to build them, can go about trying to bring this network to full realization.

There are several companies already invested in this space: AeroMobil, Moller International, Terrafugia, and others. And Uber in its white paper has produced a plan, they call it Elevate, and it sets out the specifics on what needs to be accomplished in order for us to start seeing these networks realized in our own communities. They believe that on-demand aviation options for consumers is going to radically improve the quality of urban commuting and mobility.

There are millions of people around the world who are spending countless hours every day just sitting in traffic on their commute to work, and these innovative companies are looking for creative ways to help those individuals get more time for themselves; in having them spend less time on things like commuting.

Uber has also made the argument that it is going to be much cheaper to have a network of flying cars than it would be to build a network of traditional roads, bridges, and railways etc. They even suggest that mini-airports for the project could be built on top of buildings. Once the vehicles are ready, Uber could then implement them into a network for paying passengers to use.

But many say that Uber is overestimating the ability of the plan to be able to get around air traffic control regulations and other necessary certification. If we had more freedom then perhaps some day we might be able to see it realized, but with all of the current road blocks that are in the way it's likely to prevent the success of the project. However, there are still many who are heavily invested in this space and so it might just be a matter of time before we see a much more advanced commuting style available in our future.

Pics:
Car Street Journal
Uber/Mashable
WiffleGif
Giphy

Sources:
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2016/05/when-cars-fly/476382/
http://mashable.com/2016/10/27/uber-flying-cars-aviation/#n1wDeyPd5iq4
https://medium.com/@UberPubPolicy/fast-forwarding-to-a-future-of-on-demand-urban-air-transportation-f6ad36950ffa#.vffv2q38u
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/oct/27/uber-flying-cars-vtol-aircraft