Uber Technologies Inc., based in San Francisco, California, is probably one of the most popular of all multinational online transportation network companies out there. And there is good reason for that.
Last month, in an announcement that surprised the world, Uber disclosed its plans to begin the test driving of self driving cabs. Clearly, the company has its sights on the future of mobility.
Now, the plans may have just leveled up. The transport app is researching small planes or even drones that can vertically take off and land (VTOL) in order for easy transport of passengers at short distances within the city.
VTOL enables fixed winged aircraft the ability to take off and land vertically much like helicopters do but without any noise since no rotor blades are used.
Uber Chief Product Officer, Jeff Holden, believed that commercially used VTOL aircraft could become a reality in 10 years or less.
"Uber wanted to offer our customers as many options as possible to move around" said Holden during an interview with the website Recode.
He also added, "It could change cities and how we work and live."
VTOL planes could potentially be a clever way to avoid traffic snarls and they don't need a long runway like conventional aircraft do and that moving the traffic from the ground to the air will definitely cut down on congestion in the streets.
Amazon as well, is currently using a similar technology to cut down on the noise and extend their range of delivery to test at Cambridgeshire.
Earlier in the year, a Chinese company named Ehang, revealed the quadcopter drone designed to carry a single passenger called the 184.
Google founder Larry Page himself is a major supporter for the development of flying cars and has invested $100 million of his very own money into startup companies working on developing the technology.
