Speaking at Web Summit in Lisbon this morning (8 November), Uber’s chief product officer Jeff Holden said the fleet, which visually looks like a hybrid between a drone and a helicopter, will make only 25% of the noise of a helicopter. Travelling at speeds of up to 200 mph, Holden said the flying taxis will cost the same price as an Uber X car ride and are intended as a mass consumer option.

Aviation manufacturers including Embraer and Aurora Flight Sciences will supply and pilot the aircraft, with the ride-hailing app also partnering with Nasa to develop a new unmanned air traffic control system. And it sounds like Uber has plans to take Uber Air global as well.

“We’re trying to work with cities in the early days that are interested in partnering to make it happen, while knowing that there will be pitfalls along the way,” said Holden. “Our ultimate target is to make Uber less expensive than driving your own car. Yes, a super quick flight will be cheaper than driving your own car.”

Sourced through Scoop.it from: www.marketingweek.com