Uber is taking the wraps off of its futuristic air taxis for the first time.
The ride-hailing firm gave the public a look at the inside of its flying taxi that's expected to ferry up to four passengers as part of the long-awaited airborne taxi service, dubbed 'Uber Air.'
Previously, Uber had shared prototype digital designs of the vehicle, but now the vehicles are getting closer to takeoff.
As part of the unveiling, Uber also announced that it expects the aerial ride-hailing platform to become available to the public as soon as 2023, following tests that will take place next year.
It's not yet clear how much an Uber Air trip will cost, but the firm expects it to be cheaper than a traditional helicopter ride.
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Uber is taking the wraps off of its futuristic air taxis for the first time. The firm gave the public a look at the inside of its flying taxi that's expected to ferry up to four passengers as part of the long-awaited airborne taxi service, dubbed 'Uber Air'
The first rides in Uber Air taxis will launch in Dallas, Texas as well as Los Angeles, before rolling out to additional areas in the future.
Uber gave its first in-depth look at the vehicle at its annual 'Uber Elevate' flying taxi conference in Washington, DC, which kicked off today and lasts through Wednesday.
For the most part, the inside of an Uber Air taxi looks pretty similar to a traditional helicopter.
However, it's missing some of the typical conveniences consumers might come to expect from ride-share vehicles or airplanes.
For the most part, the inside of an Uber Air taxi looks pretty similar to a traditional helicopter. However, it's missing some of the typical conveniences consumers might come to expect from ride-share vehicles or airplanes
The interior was designed by French aerospace company Safran, who said that the firm chose to forego 'busy' things like cupholders, interactive screens, chargers or seatback pockets. Instead, the taxis are designed for quick pickup and drop off
The interior was designed by French aerospace company Safran, who told Forbes that the firm chose to forego 'busy' things like cupholders, interactive screens, chargers or seatback pockets.
Instead, Uber Air taxis are meant to ferry four passengers to their destination quickly and seamlessly, without many interruptions.
That's primarily because each Uber Air trip is estimated to take no more than 20 minutes from pickup to drop off.
'We realized for an 8-minute flight, that's all irrelevant,' Ian Scoley, a vice president of Safran's design and innovation studio, told Forbes.
While the taxis skimp on high-tech gadgets and features, they still exhibit some luxury.
Each of the four seats is turned to face outwards toward the window, so that passengers don't have to interact if they'd rather enjoy a quiet ride. They're upholstered in sleek 'ultra leather' that's specially designed for passengers to swiftly get in and out
There are windows on each side of the air taxi that should offer passengers sweeping views during their ride. Electric blue lighting turns on while the vehicle is in transit and then white when passengers are disembarking
Each of the four seats is turned to face outwards
