Taking a step closer to the reality of flying taxies, world’s largest cab aggregator Uber is all set to test the ambitious project in Australia’s Melbourne which becomes the first international test site for the group’s planned flying taxi service.
Earlier Uber had chosen Dubai as the first test site outside the US for its UberAIR service but reopened its request for proposals last month after launch delays in the Middle Eastern city.
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Uber on Tuesday said it will begin test flights of the pilotless aircraft in Melbourne and US cities Dallas and Los Angles in 2020 before commercial operations begin in 2023.
“Australian governments have adopted a forward-looking approach to ridesharing and future transport technology,” Susan Anderson, Regional General Manager for Uber in Australia, New Zealand and North Asia, was quoted in a statement.
“This, coupled with Melbourne’s unique demographic and geospatial factors, and culture of innovation and technology, makes Melbourne the perfect third launch city for UberAir.”