Some lucky people could be flying over traffic in autonomous drones within two years, according to a media blitz this morning.
"Uber is releasing new information about Uber Air, an ambitious plan to launch a fleet of autonomous flying taxis in two years," reports CBS This Morning got the first look this morning at Uber's plans for a fleet of autonomous flying taxis called Uber Air. CBS Morning News also posted its on-air news story, including a preview video of Uber Air, on its YouTube page. Spoiler alert: CBS wastes very little time before presenting flying drones as a congestion solution.
The media blitz for Uber Air also hit other mainstream media sites, like CNBC, and tech-focused sites like engadget and TechCrunch.
Uber is putting on an event in Los Angeles called Uber Elevate to promote Uber Air today. Christopher Hawthorne, former Los Angeles Time architecture critic and current Los Angeles chief design officer, was in attendance and sent this dispatch on Twitter.
At @Skirball_LA for #uberelevate summit. Two days on the brave new world of air taxis, aka VTOLs (for Vertical Takeoff and Landing), which are likely to have significant implications for urban design.
— Christopher Hawthorne (@HawthorneCDOLA) May 8, 2018
FULL STORY: Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi on flying taxis, the future and taking over a company in crisis
Op-Ed: Designs for Uber's Skyports Fail on the Basics
The hulking structures proposed to handle UberAIR's fleet of flying taxis won't be able to serve 4,000 passengers per hour. And that's just one of their many deficiencies, Alissa Walker writes.
A Transit Consultant's Take on Flying Cars
A journalist asked, so Jarrett Walker answered.
Flying Taxi Skepticism
A ride-hailing company that lost $5.2 billion in one quarter wants to launch a flying taxi service. According to this op-ed, cities should concentrate on expanding existing public transit systems instead of wasting time and money on pipe dreams.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?
Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.
Paris Bike Boom Leads to Steep Drop in Air Pollution
The French city’s air quality has improved dramatically in the past 20 years, coinciding with a growth in cycling.
Why Housing Costs More to Build in California Than in Texas
Hard costs like labor and materials combined with ‘soft’ costs such as permitting make building in the San Francisco Bay Area almost three times as costly as in Texas cities.
San Diego County Sees a Rise in Urban Coyotes
San Diego County experiences a rise in urban coyotes, as sightings become prevalent throughout its urban neighbourhoods and surrounding areas.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
City of Santa Clarita
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service