Bell has teamed up with Uber for the Uber Elevate initiative – a scheme which will see the taxi service take to the skies. And the duo have made major progress in getting their taxis to the skies after unveiling the 6,000lb vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft which resembles a drone and a helicopter. The vehicle has been dubbed the Bell Nexus and will be able to seat five people.
Bell Nexuses will rely on a series of designated ‘Skyports’ dotted around major cities which will act as pick up and drop off points.
The company hope to have the machines available to the public by 2023 and is it looks to the future of inner-city, environmentally friendly travel.
Scott Drennan, director of innovation at Bell, told The Verge: “This is not a toy.
“This is an aircraft you would feel safe and comfortable bringing your family into.”
Mark Moore, engineering director of aviation at Uber, added: “We’re very excited about what Bell is doing. There are many companies out there developing [eVTOL] demonstrators.
“At Uber, we’re facilitating this entirely new transportation system because we are the link to the users.”
A host of other companies are working on flying cars – most notably flying taxis.
British firm Rolls-Royce has unveiled plans to develop a super speed electric flying taxi which can carry up to five people and land vertically.
The engine maker’s futuristic design will also be able to fly at an astonishing 250mph for up to 500 miles as it aims to make cross country travel rapid.
It is 101 miles, as the crow flies, between London and Birmingham, meaning the flying taxi would take just 20 minutes to travel between the cities.