Uber and Hyundai Debut Full-Scale Air Taxi Model at CES

Hello, world. Welcome the S-A1, a personal air vehicle (PAV), which debuted at the Consumer Electronics Show on January 6, 2020.

Uber Elevate, the urban air mobility unit of ride-sharing leader, Uber, and Hyundai, South Korea’s auto manufacturing behemoth, presented a full-scale model (shown here) of the eVTOL they are developing in Las Vegas.

While Hyundai builds and operates the vehicles, Uber will navigate the airspace support services, ground transport connections, and the customer connections through its airborne ride sharing network.

The S-A1 is is designed to carry four passengers with room for baggage at a cruising speed of up to 180 mph (290 kph). The 100 percent electric vehicle will have a cruising altitude between 1,000-2,000 ft (300-600 mt) with a range of up to 60 miles (100 km).

The vehicle uses distributed electric propulsion. It can recharge in about five to seven minutes. Multiple rotors and propellers increase safety and reduce noise.

The S-A1 will take off vertically and then transition to wing-borne lift to cruise. It then transitions back for a vertical landing. Designed to be piloted initially, the goal is to make the S-A1 autonomous at some point in the future.

A launch date for demonstrations is anticipated in 2020.