Uber is working on a flying car project read more at here www.spinonews.com/index.php/item/1460-uber-is-working-on-a-flying-car-project

Uber published a massive white paper detailing its plan to launch an “on demand aviation” service called Uber Elevate.

Uber will have a network—to be called “Elevate”—of on-demand, fully electric aircraft that take off and land vertically.

These aren’t flying cars in the sense that they both drive on the ground and soar through the air.

While Uber isn't planning to build its concept for a helicopter-like vehicle, it would organize a conference to discuss the development of what it calls VTOL, or an aircraft for vertical takeoff and landing. It refers to the nascent flying-car program as Uber Elevate.

Uber raised the topic of  flying cars just days after it announced that one of the self-driving trucks it owns completed a delivery of 50,000 Budweiser cans.

The company says it will reach out to stakeholders to “listen, learn, and explore the implications of this urban air transportation movement.” It’s amazing how a $70 billion valuation can chill out a company’s outlaw instincts.

It's possible that within 10 years self-driving trucks will still be quite limited. Flying cars are an even bigger challenge, and fewer people are working to make them a reality.

Most commercial airliners already spend most of their time being controlled by an autopilot. There is already a system of air traffic controllers and government agencies who can monitor takeoff, landing, and flight paths to ensure autonomous aircraft don’t collide. And once you’re in the air, the chances your vehicle is going to run into an unexpected obstacle are much smaller than they are on busy city streets.

It's possible that within 10 years self-driving trucks will still be quite limited. Flying cars are an even bigger challenge, and fewer people are working to make them a reality.

The company acknowledges that it will take many years to develop. The paper reads, "The vision portrayed above is ambitious, but we believe it is achievable in the coming decade." The barriers to success that it sees are lengthy, including regulations, limitations in battery technology, aircraft noise and safety.

 [Image credits: Uber ]