Global taxi service provider Uber has signed a Space Act Agreement with Nasa to develop software solutions for its Uber Elevate flying taxi project.
Uber aims to begin testing the project, also referred to as UberAir, in Los Angeles, California, and Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, US, as well as Dubai, UAE, by 2020.
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The company is also expecting to operate its new flying taxi service before the 2028 Olympics to be held in Los Angeles.
Under the new Space Act Agreement, Uber will participate in the development of unmanned traffic management technologies, while Nasa seeks to understand how unmanned aerial systems (UAS) such as drones can function safely.
Uber chief product officer Jeff Holden was quoted by CNBC as saying: “UberAir will be performing far more flights on a daily basis than it has ever been done before.
“Doing this safely and efficiently is going to require a foundational change in airspace management technologies.
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By GlobalData“Combining Uber’s software engineering expertise with Nasa’s decades of airspace experience to tackle this is a crucial step forward for Uber Elevate.”
Uber’s proposed flying car will be designed to carry four passengers and fly at a speed of 322km/h at low-altitude airspace, reported Reuters.
The company has collaborated with aircraft manufacturers and real estate companies to identify potential take-off and landing sites for the flying taxis.
