Uber Partner Bell Helicopter Reveals Flying Taxi Design at CES 2019
Uber partner Bell Helicopter reveals a full-scale model of its Nexus hybrid-electric flying taxi at CES 2019.
Uber partner Bell Helicopter unveils a full-scale model of its hybrid-electric flying taxi, the Nexus, at CES 2019 in Las Vegas. As the first Uber Air partner to publicly exhibit a full-scale model, Bell showcases a major step forward for the company's Elevate initiative, which aims to create an on-demand aerial rideshare network.
The Nexus is an eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) aircraft designed for everyday urban transportation. Uber envisions these flying vehicles becoming so affordable that they ultimately cost less than owning a car, making them a practical daily option for regular commuters.
Uber plans to begin testing these aircraft designs by 2020 and officially launches commercial Uber Air service in 2023. Initial launch locations include Dallas, Los Angeles, and a third unannounced city, with several other aircraft partners like Boeing's Aurora Flight Sciences, Embraer, and Pipistrel also contributing to the aerial fleet.