Uber Could Have Flying Taxis by 2020

Aircraft manufacturer Bell Helicopter revealed at the CES2018 convention in Las Vegas how the flying taxi system could be here before we know it.

Teaming up with ride-hailing company Uber, Bell is looking to create an aircraft that is part drone and part helicopter, with a cockpit shaped like an egg. The four-seat vehicle will have room for luggage in the back and large windows so passengers can enjoy the surroundings, according to Wired.com.

During the CES2018 convention, Bell used VR goggles to show exactly what it would feel like to take a ride on the unique aircraft. In reality, the aircraft manufacturer is looking to have the flying taxi reach speeds of 150 miles per hour.

The aircraft would also feature Uber amenities like in-cabin Wi-Fi, wireless charging, video calling and artificial intelligence. The vehicles will be initially piloted by a human, but could become autonomous as the technology improves.

Bell Helicopter provided a YouTube video of the proposed air taxi:

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Uber is looking to have the aircraft ready for usage in major cities like Dallas, Dubai and Los Angeles by the year 2020 with the intent of cutting journey times while charging passengers a similar rate as ground transportation.

Though Bell and Uber are working hard to bring the flying taxi system to fruition, the companies must still go through (presumably) years of regulatory, air traffic control and competitive hurdles, along with the continued development and implementation of the technology.