Uber Melbourne flying taxis by 2023

[kmav23]

https://www.smh.com.au/business/comp...12-p51wtv.html

Uber says Melbourne to have flying taxis by 2023

Flying taxis could be in our skies within four years, according to Uber, which has announced Melbourne will be one of three cities to pilot its latest ambitious ride hailing service.

If you are imagining a flying car think again. Uber’s vision is for a quiet electric-powered aircraft — yet to be certified by aviation authorities anywhere in the world — that would ferry commuters between futuristic skyports at the top of buildings.

The electric vertical take off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft — which would be booked through the Uber app — would initially be flown by a commercial pilot. However Uber envisages they would eventually become autonomous.

Uber says the trip from Melbourne's CBD to Tullamarine airport could take 10 minutes.

The technology is still nascent but aviation safety agencies around the world are scrambling to draw up regulations for flying taxis, with Uber one of several companies claiming to be ready to launch services within a few years.

Melbourne will join Dallas and Los Angeles as pilot cities, with Uber claiming test flights will begin next year and commercial operations in 2023. Other Australian cities are expected to follow soon after.

However, Uber acknowledges critical challenges to bringing air transportation to the market include certification from aviation authorities, battery technology, vehicle efficiency and performance, air traffic control, cost, safety, finding landing pads and pilot training.

"There is going to be a lot of safety challenges involved in this — that’s obvious — but we are certainly well prepared for this," said Civil Aviation Safety Authority spokesman Peter Gibson.

Mr Gibson said the drone delivery trial by Google’s Project Wing in Canberra had pioneered some of the safety and regulatory issues that flying taxis would encounter.

"There will be new ones but we are certainly well developed to meet those challenges," he said. "A lot can be done within the existing regulatory framework but there may be areas we have to expand. This is day one of work starting — there are lots of issues to be worked out."

The ride-hailing company is pitching Uber Air as a road congestion busting service that will reduce travel time and "in the long term" transport thousands of people across cities for the same price as an UberX trip.

The technology is still in the development phase and will require batteries that are lightweight enough to power the aircraft.

However, aerospace engineer Dr Matthew Marino, a lecturer and researcher at RMIT, said the development of the technology was very rapid.

He said police in Dubai were already testing flying motorbikes known as Hoversurfs — a cross between a drone and a motorbike — although they can reportedly not stay airborne for longer than 25 minutes.

"In my expert opinion Uber’s target of introducing Uber Air to the market by 2023 is absolutely achievable," Dr Marino said.

Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas said he was thrilled Melbourne had been chosen to help start what could become a new industry and revolutionise travel across the world. Melbourne was chosen ahead of Japan, France, Brazil and India after a deal with Dubai fell through.

The government would work with Uber Elevate — the division of Uber responsible for the aerial ride-sharing service — and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority ahead of the demonstration flights.

Mr Pallas acknowledged Uber had set itself an "enormous challenge" but said the company had a long history of successful innovation.

"The proof of the pudding will be in the demonstration of the technology. We still have some distance to travel but I think the potential for this industry is profound."

However, he said the benefit of Uber Air would be to get some people where they needed to go in a hurry. "Let’s not overemphasise the value this sort of travel will have on congestion".

Mr Pallas said the state government would always be focused on investment in "terrestrial infrastructure", which would remain the principal way of moving people around.

He also said there would need to be engagement with the community on issues such as route alignment and amenity.

Uber Elevate also announced partnerships with Australian companies Macquarie, Telstra, Scentre Group as well as Melbourne Airport, as part of the project.

Uber’s concept video shows a telegenic career woman smugly looking down at vehicle-clogged highways from her flying taxi before being delivered to the bosom of her family in time for dinner.

"As major cities grow, the heavy reliance on private car ownership will not be sustainable," Uber Elevate global head Eric Allison said.

"For example the 19 kilometre journey from the CBD to Melbourne Airport can take anywhere from 25 minutes to around an hour by car in peak hour but with Uber Air this will take around 10 minutes."

However, Dr Chris De Gruyter, a vice-chancellor’s research fellow in the Centre for Urban Research at RMIT, said Uber Air wasn’t going to help with managing Melbourne’s urban transport problems.

"These vehicles are very low capacity — similar to what a car could carry — while there are also questions about if these vehicles will create visual clutter in the sky and how environmentally-friendly they are,” he said.

"Another risk is 'empty running', where there are no passengers, but the vehicle has to travel to pick people up from another location."

[Burnout]

Cobblers, Aviation generally around the world is 20,000 short of pilots now and will need 450,000 new pilots over the next 20yrs..
I don't reckon Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas has ever held a commercial pilots license.
Have a look at the continuing regulation of Drones by CASA....

[EFFalcon]

so they'll just make it easier to get a licence

[roKWiz]

What could possibly go wrong.

[au2000]

However, Uber acknowledges critical challenges to bringing air transportation to the market include certification from aviation authorities, battery technology, vehicle efficiency and performance, air traffic control, cost, safety, finding landing pads and pilot training.

Just some small hurdles between now & 2023
Can't imagine air traffic control also monitoring this network, they would have to create their own mini air traffic control you would think ?

[au2000]

And introducing the tesla model H ..............

[kmav23]

It would be a slow gradual introduction suited to the wealthy, business and emergency areas in limited numbers.

e.g high rollers from the hotel casino to airport.

[zipping]

What are the odds on Uber making a profit by 2023?

They have to sell the future to justify the share price and the lack of a successul (i.e. profitable) business model

[FG50T]

Originally Posted by zipping

What are the odds on Uber making a profit by 2023?

They have to sell the future to justify the share price and the lack of a successul (i.e. profitable) business model

Profit doesn't equate to success and it's kind of expected for any stock market listed company to share their future plans...

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by kmav23

high rollers from the hotel casino to airport.

Don't they already do that using helicopters

[Citroënbender]

Maybe to boost the mood on the way in, but once they’re “shorn” it’s probably down the chute, straight to the taxi rank…

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

Don't they already do that using helicopters

Theres a helipad right opposite the casino on the other side of the Yarra River near the car park on Spencer just before the Bridge where it turns into Clarendon Street:

https://microflite.com.au/melbourne-airport-transfer/

Casino to Melbourne Airport is only 8 mins - $390 each way

Mercedes at Melbourne Airport was doing these transfers to the same spot:

https://www.caradvice.com.au/283871/...irport-to-cbd/

[Mainforcepatrol]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Theres a helipad right opposite the casino on the other side of the Yarra River near the car park on Spencer just before the Bridge where it turns into Clarendon Street:

https://microflite.com.au/melbourne-airport-transfer/

Casino to Melbourne Airport is only 8 mins - $390 each way

Mercedes at Melbourne Airport was doing these transfers to the same spot:

https://www.caradvice.com.au/283871/...irport-to-cbd/

TAA used to ferry passengers to Essendon airport in the 60s from there.It was called Hellicab if i remember correctly.

[Fordman1]

“Road rage” should be interesting.

[Itsme]

Here is the magic word in Kmav23 Uber Statement........ Nascent

Ubers quiet electric-powered aircraft taxis will not be flying by the 2023 in Melbourne, it is all pie in the sky.
You be lucky to see this concept in 10 years, maybe more the way bureaucracy works with Australian governments.

[hayseed]

http://www.theshovel.com.au/2019/06/...rtier-version/

[Bossxr8]

I'd expect this to happen when we finally get the flying cars we were promised were only years away. Decades ago.

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

I'd expect this to happen when we finally get the flying cars we were promised were only years away. Decades ago.

On our way to work at Spacely Spockets

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

On our way to work at Spacely Spockets

image

Looks like they finally fixed Melbourne's 'not gang' problem

[Pilko FNQ]

I think this will be a case of "I'd rather be down here wishing I was up there, rather than up there wishing I was down here" when there is a software glitch.....

[dunga]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

I'd expect this to happen when we finally get the flying cars we were promised were only years away. Decades ago.

Moller flying car by year 2000 top speed 490 kmh wasn't electric, powered by a ****el motor.

[kmav23]

2023 seems to early, 2025 I could see the first trials.

[Ben73]

They spelt 2033 wrong.

[Crazy Dazz]

It should be easy enough,

they can just use their flying pigs

[Crazy Dazz]

On a serious note, this is what is wrong with the Corporate World as it currently works.

Uber had a great idea, they pioneered ride-sharing on a large scale, got a huge job on the competition and should have parleyed that into an immensely profitable sustainable business. But the drive is to keep growing at an explosive rate, and once markets become established the only way to do that is to expand by diversifying. Which is great if there are legitimate opportunities available. But instead they are squandering billions on crap like autonomous cars, and this BS.
And the drive to fund this from their core business means they are being undercut by their competitors.

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

On a serious note, this is what is wrong with the Corporate World as it currently works.

Uber had a great idea, they pioneered ride-sharing on a large scale, got a huge job on the competition and should have parleyed that into an immensely profitable sustainable business. But the drive is to keep growing at an explosive rate, and once markets become established the only way to do that is to expand by diversifying. Which is great if there are legitimate opportunities available. But instead they are squandering billions on crap like autonomous cars, and this BS.
And the drive to fund this from their core business means they are being undercut by their competitors.

Think you will find this is more of a publicity stunt as I doubt very much their proposal will get off the ground.


Talking about doing something and actually doing it are two very different things.


Cheers.

[Sprintey]

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

On a serious note, this is what is wrong with the Corporate World as it currently works.

Uber had a great idea, they pioneered ride-sharing on a large scale, got a huge job on the competition and should have parleyed that into an immensely profitable sustainable business. But the drive is to keep growing at an explosive rate, and once markets become established the only way to do that is to expand by diversifying. Which is great if there are legitimate opportunities available. But instead they are squandering billions on crap like autonomous cars, and this BS.
And the drive to fund this from their core business means they are being undercut by their competitors.

Here's a great recent article on them Dazz:

https://americanaffairsjournal.org/2...f-destruction/

As the article points out,

"An examination of Uber’s economics suggests that it has no hope of ever earning sustainable urban car service profits in competitive markets. Its costs are simply much higher than the market is willing to pay, as its nine years of massive losses indicate. Uber not only lacks powerful competitive advantages, but it is actually less efficient than the competitors it has been driving out of business.

Uber’s investors, however, never expected that their returns would come from superior efficiency in competitive markets. Uber pursued a “growth at all costs” strategy financed by a staggering $20 billion in investor funding. This funding subsidized fares and service levels that could not be matched by incumbents who had to cover costs out of actual passenger fares. Uber’s massive subsidies were explicitly anticompetitive—and are ultimately unsustainable—but they made the company enormously popular with passengers who enjoyed not having to pay the full cost of their service."


All that said, safe flying car services would be pretty cool. I'd like an aetheric powered UFO that can do a fast day trip to surf Fijian reefs and be back before traffic begins to get busy at about school pick-up time.

[Sprintey]

Now if someone can Uber something like this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmTVKs15n4U

[Crazy Dazz]

Originally Posted by Sprintey

Here's a great recent article on them Dazz:

https://americanaffairsjournal.org/2...f-destruction/

I would disagree with some of their points, but essentially yes.
There is a disconnect between the Business, and the Corporate. The latter being overinflated by massive investment, overhyped, and with an (unfortunately all too common) model of chasing inflated share prices based on constant growth and acquisition.

Be interesting to see if the ride-share business survives once the corporate parent collapses.
Or more likely it will go through one of those corporate mergers, where everybody comes out claiming to be a winner, after writing off $20B.

[kmav23]

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

On a serious note, this is what is wrong with the Corporate World as it currently works.

Uber had a great idea, they pioneered ride-sharing on a large scale, got a huge job on the competition and should have parleyed that into an immensely profitable sustainable business. But the drive is to keep growing at an explosive rate, and once markets become established the only way to do that is to expand by diversifying. Which is great if there are legitimate opportunities available. But instead they are squandering billions on crap like autonomous cars, and this BS.
And the drive to fund this from their core business means they are being undercut by their competitors.

There is a reason why big companies Google, Amazon, apple and car makers etc are trying to build autonomous cars, it's a trillion dollar industry.

Amazon and Space X are fighting it out for space now.