With the launch of its Uber Air service planned for 2023, the company is designing Skyports to regulations and industry standards that don't yet exist. Photo: Uber
Uber revealed some details about its approach to building ground infrastructure for urban air mobility — which it calls ‘Skyports’ — as the company seeks to make progress despite a dearth of industry standards and regulations.
Through Uber Elevate, the ridesharing giant is working with at least eight developers of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, to be used for urban aviation in concert with cars, scooters and other modes of public transportation.
With the launch of its Uber Air service planned for 2023 in Melbourne, Los Angeles and Dallas, the company — and others planning to be early investors in ground infrastructure for urban air mobility — faces the challenge of building and designing in an uncertain environment.
“Federal, city, state and perhaps county approvals will all be based on regulations yet to come for the most part,” said Chuck Clauser, senior director of architecture at PS&S and head of the company’s UAM task force. “Location will be dependent on zoning, surrounding airspace and aerial routes, aviation approvals, impact on pedestrian and vehicular traffic, parking, energy requirements, firefighting accessibility … there are a whole host of factors that have to be considered.”
Continue reading more on Avionics International: https://www.aviationtoday.com/2020/05/11/heres-uber-designing-skyports-future-air-taxis/