Uber Takes Flight with Eric Allison (Uber Elevate)

TL;DR

Uber is planning to launch flying taxis, known as Uber Air, in 2023 to create a multimodal transportation network that enables users to choose the most efficient and convenient way to travel.

Transcript

flying taxis that's right that is our future as you know if things go according to plan exactly yep that's what we're working on and you actually brought a video so before we just kind of kick things off maybe we'll just show the video real quick and let people kind of see what what you're thinking perfect let's do it so you're you're gonna start t... Read More

Key Insights

• 👤 Uber Air is part of Uber's vision to create a multimodal transportation network that offers users the flexibility to choose how they want to travel.
• 🖐️ Data on movement patterns and demand plays a crucial role in determining the locations of Skyports for Uber Air vehicles.
• ❓ Uber is collaborating with major partners in the aviation industry, including Boeing, Bell, and Embraer, to develop the necessary aircraft for Uber Air.
• 🦺 Safety is a top priority for Uber, and they are implementing best practices from the commercial aviation industry, such as safety management systems and anonymized safety data sharing.
• 💦 Uber is actively working with regulatory agencies, such as the FAA, to ensure compliance and navigate the complex regulatory landscape surrounding urban air transportation.
• 🤳 The deployment of self-piloted Uber Air vehicles is a possibility in the future, but it hinges on technological advancements and regulatory changes.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is Uber's vision for Uber Air and how does it align with the company's overall platform?

Uber's vision for Uber Air is to create a multimodal transportation network that allows users to seamlessly travel from their starting point to their destination by integrating various modes of transportation. This aligns with Uber's focus on providing convenient and efficient transportation options to its users.

Q: How does Uber determine the locations for Skyports for Uber Air vehicles?

Uber analyzes data on movement patterns and demand at a granular level to identify areas with the highest demand. They use their own trip data and supplement it with third-party data to understand where people want to go and where they are willing to pay for the service. Skyports are located in the areas with the most demand and accessibility.

Q: What types of trips do Uber envision people using Uber Air for?

Uber is utilizing data on different types of trips to determine the most valuable routes for Uber Air. They see demand for trips to airports, commuting between cities, and popular destinations within cities. By analyzing demand contours, they can determine the number of Skyports required to cover these routes and seamlessly integrate them into the ground network.

Q: What is the pricing model for Uber Air, and how does it compare to Uber Copter?

Uber is launching Uber Copter as a starting point to test the concept of real multimodal journeys and learn more about operational constraints. The pricing for Uber Air is expected to be a premium product initially but will eventually become more affordable as utilization and load factors increase. The long-term goal is to have pricing competitive with ground transportation.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Uber is committed to building a multimodal transportation network called Uber Air, which integrates flying taxis into the existing Uber platform.

• The company plans to begin testing Uber Air in 2020 and aims to deploy the service in 2023.

• Uber is leveraging data on movement patterns and demand to determine the optimal locations for Skyports, which are the takeoff and landing points for Uber Air vehicles.