Uber Elevate Summit 2017

Uber Technologies Press Releases From Elevate Summit
April 25, 2017

Additional Links

Fast-Forwarding to a Future of On-Demand Urban Air Transportation, Uber, Oct. 27, 2016
Uber Elevate White Paper [pdf], Uber, Oct. 27, 2016 (99 pages)
Early Uber Elevate statements, Sept. 2016

Uber Announces Partnerships to Help Develop First Vertical Take-Off and Landing Vehicles (VTOLs) Network

Uber Elevate vision (png)

Today, at its inaugural Elevate Summit, Uber announced a series of partnerships with key companies and stakeholders in the burgeoning urban aviation ecosystem. The goal of these partnerships is to develop a new on-demand VTOL network to enable customers in the future to push a button and get a high-speed flight in and around cities. Uber’s new partners in its Elevate initiative include real estate companies, aircraft manufacturers, electric vehicle charger manufacturers and cities.

Uber’s first partner cities for its Elevate project are Dallas-Fort Worth,Texas and Dubai, UAE. Dallas Mayor Rawlings and Fort-Worth Mayor Price have expressed support in making Dallas-Fort Worth the first metropolitan area in the United States to explore an elevate pilot. In the United Arab Emirates, Uber recently entered into a partnership with the Dubai Road and Transport Authority who will be funding studies for demand modeling in the region to better understand pricing and network optimization.

The goal of Uber’s partnerships, in both cities, is to have the first Uber Elevate Network demonstration by 2020. Dubai is hosting the 2020 World Expo and is striving to make the demonstration timed with that event.

In both cities, Uber is looking to develop infrastructure partnerships with local real estate companies to identify sites and construct vertiports for a future Uber Elevate Network. Uber is partnering with Hillwood Properties for Dallas-Fort Worth and planning to partner with several real estate companies in Dubai.

Additionally, Uber entered into partnerships with several highly experienced aircraft manufacturers who are developing electric VTOL vehicles to help us achieve the Uber Elevate mission requirements. With their extensive aircraft design and production experience, each of these companies brings unique expertise that will enable the shortest time to market for electric VTOLs.

These partners include:

Finally, Uber is launching a partnership with ChargePoint to develop an exclusive VTOL charger for the Uber Elevate Network.

Chief Product Officer at Uber Jeff Holden said, “What started as a simple question ‘why can’t I push a button and get a ride?’ has turned, for Uber, into a passionate pursuit of the pinnacle of urban mobility -- the reduction of congestion and pollution from transportation, giving people their time back, freeing up real estate dedicated to parking and providing access to mobility in all corners of a city. Urban Aviation is a natural next step for Uber in this pursuit, which is why we are working to make push a button, get a flight a reality. This is Uber Elevate, and we are excited to announce the first group of Elevate partners - a group of visionary industry and government leaders - with whom we will work closely to take that idea off of paper and into reality. Starting today, Dallas and Dubai are racing to the future and we can’t wait to see how on-demand VTOL flight accelerates these great cities.”

Dallas Mayor Rawlings said, “We are thrilled to partner with Uber and host the Elevate summit. The summit has a lot of exciting new possibilities for the city of Dallas and we hope our citizens and the people all across the country tune in to see what we have in store. This is an opportunity for our city to show leaders from around the world and across industries why Dallas should be a part of building a better future for urban mobility.”

Fort Worth Mayor Price said, "Fort Worth is thrilled to be one of the partner cities in Uber's efforts to offer this exciting technology that will ultimately, better serve our residents and visitors. Being in the North Texas region, which encourages innovation and responsible businesses to thrive, we trust that this will be a beneficial choice for the development of the Elevate project."

Please find a press kit, including pictures attributable to Uber Technologies, Inc., here. For any additional questions, please contact Matthew Wing at wing@uber.com and learn more about Uber Elevate here.

Uber Partners with Dubai RTA to Launch VTOL Network in Dubai

Background Overview:

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority is partnering with Uber to launch a demonstration transportation network of vertical takeoff and landing vehicles (VTOLs) by 2020. As part of this partnership, Uber and Dubai RTA will conduct a joint study into pricing models, people movement, and determining where VTOL routes should be created in the city. The partnership will result in everything from hover and forward flight tests to actual flight operations in the Dubai area.

Our goal is to launch an Elevate flight demonstration with passengers in Dubai in conjunction with the World Expo in October of 2020.

Additional partnership details:

Uber and Dubai RTA will work together to identify usable take-off and landing locations, called vertiports, around the city.

“VTOLs have the potential to improve urban mobility for millions and partnering with a tech forward city, like Dubai, will give us an innovative partner to advance this technology into its next stage: real-world testing. We hope to amaze the world with this incredible technology at the World Expo in Dubai in 2020.”

- Chris Free, General Manager of UAE, Uber

Uber Partners with Hillwood to Create Vertiports for VTOL Network in Dallas-Fort Worth

Background Overview:

Uber plans to operate a network through which electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (VTOL) in numerous cities worldwide, including Dallas-Fort Worth, will provide transportation and delivery logistics services. Uber has partnered with Hillwood on a key piece of creating an Uber Elevate network in the Metroplex. Hillwood will exclusively develop and construct vertiports for a future Uber Elevate network throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area. Hillwood will be Uber’s first US real estate partner in this initiative.

Additional partnership details include:

Hillwood agrees to develop at least three hubs capable of operating VTOL vehicles exclusively on the Uber network by 2020 for an initial flight demonstration at locations to be mutually agreed upon by both parties.
Uber expects that the first flight demonstration on its network will happen by 2020 followed by a pilot and full-scale operations which will be launched on its network by 2023.

"Hillwood is honored to partner with Uber Elevate on this exciting new endeavor. We look forward to working with the Uber team to bring this revolutionary transportation option to the Dallas-Fort Worth area in the coming years."

- Ross Perot, Jr., Chairman, Hillwood

“Uber is grateful to partner with Hillwood to achieve a shared goal of improving the future of urban mobility in a safe, sustainable manner. Vertical takeoff and landing aircraft will bring far-reaching changes to cities and people around the world — quicker daily commutes, less traffic congestion, and cleaner air. Together, Uber Elevate and Hillwood have already started exploring the barriers we’ll need to overcome to make this a reality in north Texas.”

- Leandre Johns, Uber External Affairs

Uber Partners with Embraer to Manufacture Electric VTOLs

Background Overview:

Uber has signed a partnership with Embraer for large-scale deployment of electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (VTOLs) in order to fulfill its mission of providing a safe, reliable transportation service to everyone, everywhere. The goal of this partnership is to enable users of a future Uber Elevate Network to request an Embraer electric VTOL.

Additional partnership details include:

Uber plans to operate a network through which electric VTOL vehicles in numerous cities worldwide will provide transportation and delivery logistics services.
Uber and Embraer’s joint goal is for initial vehicles to be used in a flight demonstration by 2020.
Embraer will develop aircraft to satisfy short distance urban operations as the basis for the VTOL performance specifications.
Uber will participate in the development of airspace control software and hardware for the management of Pilot VTOLs on the Elevate Network, and provide interface connectivity with airspace controllers/regulators.

“We share Uber’s revolutionary vision that the state of transportation in congested cities is ripe for innovative solutions, such as on-demand aviation. Embraer’s leadership roles in commercial and business aviation were attained through the introduction of disruptive aircraft and services, and we are confident that our DNA will add value to new concepts in urban transportation as well.”

- Antonio Campello, Vice President for Corporate Innovation

“Embraer is the leading manufacturer of regional jets worldwide and one of Uber’s most experience partners in this space. Their knowledge of certifying fly-by-wire aircraft, and their confidence that they can similarly bring fly-by-wire technology affordably to these much smaller aircraft is an essential ingredient for our success.”

- Mark Moore, Director of Engineering for Aviation for Uber

Uber Partners with Aurora Flight Sciences to Manufacture Electric VTOLs

Background Overview:

Uber has signed a partnership with Aurora Flight Sciences for large-scale deployment of electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (VTOLs) in order to fulfill its mission of providing a safe, reliable transportation service to everyone, everywhere. The goal of this partnership is to enable users of a future Uber Elevate Network to request an Aurora Flight Sciences electric VTOL.

Additional partnership details include:

Uber plans to operate a network through which electric VTOL vehicles in numerous cities worldwide will provide transportation and delivery logistics services.
Uber and Aurora’s joint goal is for initial vehicles to be used in a flight demonstration by 2020.
Aurora will develop aircraft to satisfy short distance urban operations as the basis for the VTOL performance specifications.
Uber will participate in the development of airspace control software and hardware for the management of Pilot VTOLs on the Elevate Network, and provide interface connectivity with airspace controllers/regulators.

“Uber is taking a big step forward toward making the world’s first VTOL network a reality and our partnership with Aurora Flight Sciences will help get us off the ground. The Elevate VTOL network will help improve urban mobility around the world and transform how we travel.”

- Mark Moore, Director of Engineering for Aviation for Uber

“The Uber Elevate mission is all about low noise, high reliability, and low cost. 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.”

- John Langford, Chairman and CEO, Aurora Flight Sciences

Uber to Collaborate with Bell Helicopter to Develop Urban Electric VTOLs

Background Overview:

Uber will be working with Bell Helicopter as a collaborator to accelerate the eventual large-scale deployment of electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (VTOLs) in order to fulfill its mission of providing a safe, reliable transportation service to everyone, everywhere.

Additional details include:

Uber plans to operate a network through which electric VTOL vehicles in numerous cities worldwide will provide transportation and delivery logistics services.
Bell Helicopter plans to develop technologies that will lead to aircraft that satisfy short distance urban operations. Bell’s initial propulsion technology focus is expected to be hybrid electric with an eventual goal of fully electric.
Uber will participate in the development of airspace control software and hardware for the management of Pilot VTOLs on the Elevate Network, and provide interface connectivity with airspace controllers/regulators.
Bell Helicopter is an industry-leading producer of commercial and military, manned and unmanned vertical-lift aircraft and the pioneer of the revolutionary tiltrotor aircraft. Among other projects, Bell is exploring new opportunities in the future of air transportation with electric and hybrid VTOL aircraft.

“Uber’s Elevate network is an exciting opportunity for Bell Helicopter to help transform how cities move people and products in the future. While creating a real, viable urban air taxi network isn’t going to happen tomorrow, this future is closer than many people realize. We are optimistic about the positive impact VTOLs will have on addressing transportation challenges in Dallas-Fort Worth and other cities around the globe.”

- Mitch Snyder, President & CEO, Bell Helicopter

"Uber convened the world’s first VTOL summit in the Metroplex to bring together key stakeholders who have been working independently around the globe and across industries. As one of the largest helicopter companies in the world based in Fort Worth, Bell Helicopter is a key manufacturer in this process and Uber is grateful for their collaboration.”

- Mark Moore, Uber’s Director of Engineering for Aviation

Uber Partners with ChargePoint to Develop VTOL Charging Solutions

Background Overview:

Uber has partnered with ChargePoint to develop charging solutions that will fit any vertical take-off and landing vehicle (VTOL) manufactured. Chargepoint will design, develop, and manufacture these solutions for utilization at Uber Elevate Vertiports by 2020.

As Uber works toward our long-term goal of operating a network of electric VTOL vehicles worldwide, ChargePoint will support the network by developing charging technologies for use at vertiport sites. The solutions it develops will be crucial to scaling the availability of VTOLs in cities around the world.

Additional partnership details include:

ChargePoint will commit to developing charging solutions that work with any type of VTOL vehicle produced for an Uber VTOL network.
Under the partnership, ChargePoint will develop VTOL charging solutions for the Uber Elevate network.

“As Uber works to bring vertical take-off and landing vehicles to the world, we sought out the most innovative, forward leaning companies to create the necessary elements to scale this product. Rapid recharging is essential to this vision. ChargePoint has proven its unmatched ability to build, support and scale electric vehicle charging networks and now together, we will make VTOLs a reality.”

- Nikhil Goel, Uber’s Head of Product for Advanced Programs

"ChargePoint’s commitment to e-mobility is what inspired us to create the world’s largest electric vehicle charging network and a portfolio of charging solutions for every category of EV driving. We continue to build upon that foundation by creating solutions for the electrified mobility models of tomorrow, regardless of whether they fly, float or roll. In this spirit we are pleased to partner with Uber to help make the vision of the Uber Elevate program into a reality in a few short years.”

- Pasquale Romano, President and CEO, ChargePoint, Inc.

Uber Partners with Pipistrel Aircraft to Manufacture Electric VTOLs

Background Overview:

Uber has signed a partnership with Pipistrel Aircraft producer for large-scale deployment of electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (VTOLs) in order to fulfill its mission of providing a safe, reliable transportation service to everyone, everywhere. The goal of this partnership is to enable users of a future Uber Elevate Network to request an Pipistrel electric VTOL.

Additional partnership details include:

Uber plans to operate a network through which electric VTOL vehicles in numerous cities worldwide will provide transportation and delivery logistics services.
Uber and Pipistrel’s joint goal is for initial vehicles to be used in a flight demonstration by 2020.
Pipistrel will develop aircraft to satisfy short distance urban operations as the basis for the VTOL performance specifications.
Uber will participate in the development of airspace control software and hardware for the management of Pilot VTOLs on the Elevate Network, and provide interface connectivity with airspace controllers/regulators.

“I am proud and excited that Uber recognised our values, expertise and leadership in electric flight. This partnership marks the beginning of an exciting journey towards entirely new ways we travel, not only saving time but also being friendly to the environment.”

- Ivo Boscarol, Pipistrel group CEO

“Uber is excited to have Pipistrel working with us and starting to develop VTOLs for Uber Elevate. Pipistrel is the only company in the world that builds and sells electric aircraft today. With brand new factory to increase their capacity, they are a valued partner in making Uber’s VTOL network a reality.”

- Mark Moore, Uber’s Director of Engineering for Aviation

Uber Partners with Mooney to Manufacture Electric VTOLs

Background Overview:

Uber is excited to announce a partnership with Mooney for large-scale deployment of electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (VTOLs) in order to fulfill its mission of providing a safe, reliable transportation service to everyone, everywhere. The goal of this partnership is to enable users of a future Uber Elevate Network to request a Mooney electric VTOL.

Additional partnership details include:

Uber plans to operate a network through which electric VTOL vehicles in numerous cities worldwide will provide transportation and delivery logistics services.
Uber and Mooney’s joint goal is for initial vehicles to be used in a flight demonstration by 2020.
Mooney will develop aircraft to satisfy short distance urban operations as the basis for the VTOL performance specifications.
Uber will participate in the development of airspace control software and hardware for the management of Pilot VTOLs on the Elevate Network, and provide interface connectivity with airspace controllers/regulators.

Mooney is excited and proud to be a partner with Uber in changing the way in which we travel. Mooney’s long experience and leadership in designing, certifying, and manufacturing aircraft worldwide is a perfect fit for Uber’s goal of simplifying and streamlining short-distance travel.

- Mark Beyer, Chief Engineer, Mooney

Mooney is another key partner in Uber’s efforts to create an active VTOL network in the near future. We are hopeful that through this partnership, Mooney can help us transform transportation networks in City’s across the globe, especially in northern Texas.

- Mark Moore, Uber’s Director of Engineering for Aviation

Originally posted Oct. 27, 2016. Last updated May 4, 2017.

Uber Elevate Summit 2017

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