Soon, you could be flying in an electric aircraft over the urban maze. The global urban transport is set to change phenomenally with electric flying aircraft inching towards reality. On Tuesday, Uber selected Aurora Flight Sciences as a partner to develop electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for its Uber Elevate Network. The successful first test flight of the aircraft was carried out on April 20. "Uber is taking a big step forward towards making the world's first VTOL network a reality and our partnership with Aurora Flight Sciences will help get us off the ground," said Mark Moore, Director of Engineering for Uber. "The Elevate VTOL network will help improve urban mobility around the world and transform the way we travel." Aurora's eVTOL concept is derived from its XV-24A X-plane programme currently underway for the US Department of Defense and other autonomous aircraft the company has developed over the years. Aurora has adapted and combined the autonomous flight guidance system from its Centaur optionally-piloted aircraft, the perception and collision avoidance system from the AACUS programme, and the battery electric propulsion system from the XV-24A demonstrator to create the innovative eVTOL design. "The Uber Elevate mission is all about low noise, high reliability, and low cost," said Aurora CEO John Langford. "By drawing on our nearly 30 years of successful autonomy and robotic programmes, Aurora is well positioned to deliver on this urban solution. We have already built and flown the first proof-of-concept aircraft and we're excited to partner with Uber in accelerating the eVTOL initiative." The partnership agreement provides the basis for a system of urban transportation solutions that will enable users of the Uber Elevate Network to request an Aurora eVTOL aircraft via Uber's computer or mobile software applications. With the first test flight of the aircraft on April 20, the goal of delivering 50 aircraft for testing by 2020 is well within reach. Talking about the move, Christopher Free, GM of Uber UAE said: "Dubai continues to be a world leader in encouraging urban air transportation, and the recent pilot launch of uberX serves as a foundation for exactly this type of innovation. Creating an all-electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft network can enable an innovative new form of rapid and reliable transportation in cities, and help make commuting faster and reduce congestion. Through the partnerships we have, including with the Dubai Road and Transport Authority (RTA), our goal is to be able to have the first Uber Elevate Network demonstration in Dubai by 2020"
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