Partnership embraces a future with Uber Air Taxis.

Uber and Hyundai have announced a partnership to develop Uber Air Taxis for a future aerial ride share network. The companies unveiled a full-scale aircraft concept air vehicle at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES).

In this partnership, Hyundai will produce and deploy the air vehicles, and Uber will provide airspace support services, connections to ground transportation, and customer interfaces through an aerial ride share network.

“Hyundai is our first vehicle partner with experience of manufacturing passenger cars on a global scale,” said Eric Allison, head of Uber Elevate. “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. 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.”

These air vehicles are designed for a cruising speed up to 290 km/hr, a cruising altitude of between 300 – 600 m above the ground, and for trips up to 100 km.

Designed to take off vertically, transition to wing-borne lift in cruise, and then transition back to vertical flight to land, these air vehicles will be 100% electric, requiring only 5 – 7 minutes to fully recharge.