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Uber plans on-demand flying taxi service by end of decade

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Aurora Flight Sciences is to partner with Uber in the development of the world’s first network of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft.

The formal announcement of initiative partners (including Bell Helicopter and Embraer) took place on April 25, 2017 at Uber's Elevate Summit in Dallas, Texas.

By utilising repurposed rooftops, existing helipads and unused land surrounding highway interchanges the proposed Uber Elevate Network is intended to provide affordable, on-demand urban transportation and delivery logistics services.

"The Uber Elevate mission is all about low noise, high reliability, and low cost," said Aurora CEO John Langford. "By drawing on our nearly 30 years of successful autonomy and robotic programs, Aurora is well positioned to deliver on this urban solution. We have already built and flown the first proof-of-concept aircraft and we're excited to partner with Uber in accelerating the eVTOL initiative."

Aurora's eVTOL concept is derived from its XV-24A X-plane program currently in progress for the US Department of Defense and other autonomous aircraft the company has developed.

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