UAM - FINN

INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY, AIR TRANSPORT

EmbraerX unveils new flying vehicle concept for urban air mobility

EmbraerX has unveiled a new electric flying vehicle concept which it is developing in partnership with Uber. Meanwhile, Uber reveals its latest pilot city for urban air vehicles.

The announcement was made at the Uber Elevate Summit event in Washington DC, which convened a global community of manufacturers, investors, policymakers, and government officials who are working to make the urban aerial ridesharing vision a reality.

“As a market accelerator committed to developing solutions to transform life’s experiences, we have been combining human-centred design thinking with our 50-year history of building and engineering expertise in a unique manner. These are the factors behind the technical progress and leading-edge innovations we are bringing to this new eVTOL concept,” said Antonio Campello, President & CEO, EmbraerX.

Mark Moore, Engineering Director of Aviation, Uber, said: "Embraer's team focused on the customer experience with their latest vehicle concept, using built-in redundant systems to achieve optimal safety, while also achieving low noise output with an eight-rotor system, which enables span-wise lift. Our team looks forward to continued collaboration with the Embraer team to achieve a quiet, green, and safe, aerial ridesharing vehicle."

Multi-pronged approach

The aircraft concept, with electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) capability is part of the EmbraerX multi-pronged approach which includes a collaborative effort to enable and accelerate the urban mobility ecosystem.

EmbraerX is also engaged in a variety of tailored solutions for the ecosystem, including a new business platform, named Beacon, designed to foster collaboration and synchronise aviation services companies and professionals in a streamlined and more agile way, to keep aircraft flying.

Additionally, in partnership with dozens of air traffic controllers, academics, pilots and industry experts, EmbraerX has proposed a vision for urban air space design to allow more aircraft to fly in urban environments.

Uber picks pilot city

Meanwhile, Uber announced that  Melbourne has been selected as the first city outside the US to take part in Uber’s flying taxi service trial. 

As the third official pilot city, Melbourne will join Dallas and Los Angeles for the programme, with test flights due to start from 2020 and plans for commercial operations to commence from 2023.