Due to the increased regulatory requirements involving autonomous flight, Mark Moore, Uber’s engineering director for aircraft systems, says he expects piloted eVTOL aircraft before autonomous drone package deliveries. “[Aerial mobility] with pilots will happen way before you will get anything delivered in your backyard,” Moore explained at Heli-Expo in Anaheim, California on 29 January. “Autonomous flight is really hard. Having a pilot in the vehicle makes a huge difference in terms of the regulatory environment.”

While several companies are planning to release aerial rideshare services, there aren’t many that plan to start off with autonomous services. Uber itself is currently partnering with eight eVTOL aircraft manufacturers, and plans to launch its aerial ridesharing networks in Dallas, Los Angeles and Melbourne, Australia by 2023 under the name of Uber Elevate. While Uber touched on the possibility of autonomous flight, for now, nothing is announced. However, Uber remains ambitious in their plan to incorporate eVTOL technology into their ridesharing services. Just recently, Uber announced partnerships with both Hyundai and Joby Aviation in an ongoing effort to polish up their aerial rideshare service by 2023. 

Uber, Wing, and UPS have also begun limited tests of using delivery drones in the US. “We are already doing small package delivery for Uber Eats – it’s all about the critical path to enabling it,” said Moore, ”Fully autonomous flight is really hard, and needs an evolution to happen.” The FAA and other regulatory agencies are in the process of establishing rules and best practices for unmanned aerial vehicles. Similar tests are being conducted or are planned in other countries as well, including Switzerland and Japan.

Why it’s important: Moore makes a strong point, especially as several other eVTOL aircraft manufacturers are beginning to introduce autonomous flight control technology into their products. While autonomous flight could potentially protect against human error and enable a wider array of missions in difficult flying conditions, the manufacturers and the FAA must first reach an accord to establish a uniform set of safety standards in the US. 

Source // FlightGlobal

Out of the numerous reveals at CES 2020 came an important update regarding the future of automated air transportation in the United States. 

US Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao announced the fourth iteration of the federal automated vehicle policy at CES 2020. The “Automated Vehicles 4.0: Ensuring American Leadership in Automated Vehicle Technologies” lays down the guidelines set by the federal government for 38 government agencies, departments, commissions and others. According to Chao, the intent of the policy is aimed at “maintaining highway safety while allowing development on AVs to flourish.”

The policy, called AV 4.0 for short, adheres to three key principles, according to Chao. Protect users and communities by prioritizing safety and emphasizing cybersecurity and privacy. Promoting efficient markets by protecting American intellectual property and streamlining regulations. And finally to facilitate coordinated efforts to ensure a consistent federal approach among the agencies and other bodies. “The takeaway from AV 4.0 is that the federal government is all in for safer, better and more inclusive transportation, aided by automated driving systems,” said Chao.

Regarding a subject related to aerial mobility, the Federal Aviation Administration recently released a notice of proposed rulemaking for remote identification of drones, which has “significant security implications” for the industry. Occurrences of “mystery drones” flying at night over Nebraska and Colorado provide a timely reminder of the need for this system, according to Chao.

US Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao details AV 4.0 at CES 2020.

Why it’s important: US federal automated vehicle policy is further defined, as autonomous air vehicle testing in North Carolina, USA, and artificial intelligence plans for remotely operated vehicles have new policies to follow. As many air taxi rideshare services plan to offer automated services either immediately or in the future, the guidelines set by AV 4.0 will have important implications for the enactment of their services. 

Source // Vision Systems Design

Soon after establishing their own flying car division, Hyundai will unveil their first concept design at CES 2020

Hyundai has not yet released any specifics on the design for their flying taxi, or the “personal air vehicle” (PAV). However, Hyundai intends to release both the concept PAV design as well as another autonomous concept car design — a “purpose built vehicle” — at CES 2020. The PBV will have a customizable design, and both vehicles are intended to be used out of a transportation center in urban areas, according to Hyundai.

Flying taxis will free up space on city streets and “give back quality time to city commuters,” according to Hyundai.

What is known about Hyundai’s aerial mobility plans at the moment are that they plan on providing not only the PAV, but a full-scale aerial rideshare service as well. Flying taxis will free up space on city streets and “give back quality time to city commuters,” according to Hyundai. After naming Dr. Jaiwon Shin, formerly NASA’s aeronautics chief, as the head of their aerial mobility program, Hyundai remains on track to provide a completed rideshare service within the next decade. 

CES 2020, described as “the world’s gathering place for all those who thrive on the business of consumer technologies,” will begin on January 7 and continue on until January 10. According to the CES website, “It has served as the proving ground for innovators and breakthrough technologies for 50 years — the global stage where next-generation innovations are introduced to the marketplace.”

Visit CES’s website here

Why it’s important: With Hyundai looking to provide both their own design for a PAV as well as their own rideshare service, creating a successful concept design will be the first step for Hyundai. With so many other aerial mobility based rideshare services being announced, making a strong first impression with their concept design will be critical for Hyundai to move forward with their own aerial mobility program. 

Source // Digital Trends

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