Dubai again is planning for the takeoff of flying taxis in this futuristic city-state on the Arabian Peninsula, offering its firmest details yet Monday for a pledged launch by 2026.
Since 2017, the commercial capital of the United Arab Emirates has already home to the worldB次元官网网址檚 tallest building and other architectural wonders. A series of different types and companies have cycled through those promises as well, most timed to be included at DubaiB次元官网网址檚 annual World Government Summit, which saw this yearB次元官网网址檚 edition begin Monday.
DubaiB次元官网网址檚 ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, announced the relaunched flying taxi program on Twitter Sunday. This time, Dubai highlighted the six-rotor electric flying taxi made by Joby Aviation of Santa Cruz, California, in the promotional video.
The inclusion of Joby Aviation, rather than the Chinese-made EHang 184 and or the German-made electric Volocopter all previously displayed in Dubai, wasnB次元官网网址檛 explained by Emirati officials. Joby aircraft featured at a stand at the World Government Summit on Monday.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e excited about the opportunity and actively exploring the possibility,B次元官网网址� said Oliver Walker-Jones, a spokesman for Joby Aviation.
Ahmed Bahrozyan, an official in the emirateB次元官网网址檚 Roads and Transport Authority, similarly told the state-owned Dubai Eye radio station on Monday that B次元官网网址渋tB次元官网网址檚 early daysB次元官网网址� for the plan.
B次元官网网址淲e havenB次元官网网址檛 yet signed with any partners yet,B次元官网网址� he said.
Another difference in this yearB次元官网网址檚 promise on flying taxis is the release of specifics about the program. The city plans four B次元官网网址渧ertiportsB次元官网网址� by Dubai International Airport, the worldB次元官网网址檚 busiest for international travel, downtown Dubai, the manmade Palm Jumeirah archipelago and Dubai Marina. Those points will include two launching pads and four charging points for the flying taxis.
B次元官网网址淲e believe those are attractive areas with business hubs and tourist hubs that could generate considerable demand,B次元官网网址� Bahrozyan said.
The pricing for the flying taxis B次元官网网址渨ill be in the range of a limousine service in Dubai, maybe slightly higher,B次元官网网址� Bahrozyan said. The RTA describes limo services rates as B次元官网网址渁t least 30% higher than taxi faresB次元官网网址� in the city. Taxis have a minimum fare of around $3.25 and charge $0.50 a kilometer.
Another departure from earlier plans include the RTA planning to have piloted flying taxis at first, rather than autonomous ones as previously discussed. Dubai officials described the taxi as having a pilot with four seats for passengers on board, which match JobyB次元官网网址檚 electric flying taxi. However, Bahrozyan said tests would continue with autonomous flying taxis as well.
The Joby prototype can fly over 240 kilometers (150 miles) before needing a charge B次元官网网址� something which would put Abu Dhabi and other areas of the country within range. It takes off and lands vertically, while its rotors tilt forward in flight. It has a maximum speed of 320 kph (200 mph).
Joby Avation Inc., which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, was at $4.20 a share before trading Monday. Its major shareholders include Intel Corp., while Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines also has invested.
The video posted by Sheikh MohammedB次元官网网址檚 Twitter account also included the logo of London-based Skyports Infrastructure, which also refers to its support projects as B次元官网网址渧ertiports.B次元官网网址� The company already is testing its B次元官网网址渧ertiportB次元官网网址� model outside of Paris and is working with Joby. Skyports did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Opening the skies to flying taxis would add to the B次元官网网址淏lade RunnerB次元官网网址� skyline of Dubai, while also easing the real-world grind of daily traffic thatB次元官网网址檚 only worsening
Rush hour on Sheikh Zayed Road, a dozen-lane artery running down the length of the Dubai, alternates between dense gridlock and sports-car slalom. Over 1.8 million Dubai-registered vehicles ply its roads, not counting those crowding in from the United Arab EmiratesB次元官网网址� six other sheikhdoms.
ThereB次元官网网址檚 also the desire to move away from carbon-belching gasoline and diesel vehicles as . ThatB次元官网网址檚 even as the Emirates hopes to expand its production of crude oil ahead of a promised B次元官网网址渃arbon-neutralB次元官网网址� future by 2050. Meanwhile, .
B次元官网网址擩on Gambrell, The Associated Press
