Are helicopters really the future of transportation?

We may not have viable flying cars just yet, but brands are itching to change the way we travel. Since Uber’s helicopter taxi was announced at CES 2019, it’s become clear the future of transportation is in the skies.

Are helicopters really the future of transportation?
  • Which are some unconventional technologies that make Dubai the city of the future? Apart from helicopter taxis, Dubai has seen a lot of technological advancement in the past few years. Check them out right here.
  • Can I buy a flying car today? Ever since Chitty Chitty Bang Bang first took off, the flying car has been considered the holy grail of futuristic transport. Here are the vehicles that are turning dreams into reality.
  • Where can I find more personal vehicles? Our personal vehicles category can definitely make your daily commute a whole lot more fun.

When we imagine the future of transportation, our minds typically go all sci-fi to the idea of cars flying high above the ground through futuristic highways built in the skies.

While we’re not quite there (yet), there are plenty of ways to get around that don’t involve a car. Although the helicopter was invented the 1930s, its applications are extending beyond the military and into convenience.

When Uber displayed a whole new world of transportation with Uber Air, it seemed like this method of transportation would finally enter the commercial zone. However, the futuristic design isn’t yet practical for the present generation. Using an app to call these electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) crafts is going to take some time to become a reality. This is precisely why Uber launched a concept that’s simple and achievable.


Uber Copters are here!

Launching on July 9, the Uber Copter service is a helicopter shuttle service between lower Manhattan and JFK airport in New York City. Operated by a provider called Heliflite, these copters will allow Uber’s top-tier Platinum and Gold members to share rides in the sky, starting from a price range of $200-$225. But, BLADE, a bookable luxury aviation brand, has been doing it for quite some time. Whether or not Uber can bring this service down to the average consumer is still up for debate.

Coming back to the Uber Elevate program, which is all about transforming the world of transportation, it’s actually has a decent reference design made in partnership with a company called Safran Cabin. These eVTOL [electric vertical take-off and landing] vehicles come with four passenger seats. With two per row, there’s extra space for storing luggage behind the second row. Designed primarily for short rides, Uber Air isn’t supposed to be fancy or put riders into a sci-fi scene. Though it’s not a highly futuristic design, it’s somewhere close to make flying cars a reality.

Are these helicopters going to be safe?

Considering the helicopter crash at Manhattan that happened recently, it’s still unclear how safe these new helicopter taxi services will be. Uber plans to ensure safety by following all safety standards and also by choosing to work with the most reputable provider in safety records, Heliflite. “For us, it underscores the need to make safety the absolute bedrock of everything we do,” Eric Allison, Uber’s head of Elevate, told CNN Business.

NASA’s Mars Helicopter starts test flights

That said, helicopter services aren’t just limited to Earth. They’re also in space. NASA’s Mars Helicopter is supposed to be an integral part of the Mars 2020 rover mission and is entering the final phase of testing.

As told by MiMi Aung, project manager for the Mars Helicopter at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California:

Nobody’s built a Mars Helicopter before, so we are continuously entering new territory. Our flight model — the actual vehicle that will travel to Mars — has recently passed several important tests.

The purpose of the Mars Helicopter is to check the potential of heavier-than-air vehicles on the Red Planet. Given the issues we are already facing on earth to make helicopters more common in our everyday lives, this program by NASA clearly takes the future of transportation one step further.

Whether or not Uber or BLADE or any other company makes helicopter transportation a convenient reality in the near future is still unknown. But, each step forward is an advance in innovation, bringing us closer to the future of transportation.

The Gadget Flow Daily Digest highlights and explores the latest in tech trends to keep you informed. Want it straight to your inbox? Subscribe ➜

Madhurima Nag is the Head of Social Media at Gadget Flow. She side-hustles as a digital marketing lecturer/speaker and loves to voice her opinion on marketing, crowdfunding and gadgets (of course!) in general.
1
Join the Discussion

You Might Also Like

Vitaloop review: This filtration water bottle purifies water from nearly any source

Vitaloop review: This filtration water bottle purifies water from nearly any source

Want to drink fresh, safe water while you hike? Maybe you’re not sure about the water quality at your school or office. Well, that’s where the Vitaloop can help. This filtration water bottle cleans water from pretty much any source...
Withings ScanWatch Light & ScanWatch 2 health smartwatches are like personal health assistants

Withings ScanWatch Light & ScanWatch 2 health smartwatches are like personal health assistants

Withings ScanWatch Light and ScanWatch 2 are both health-focused smartwatches equipped with features for tracking movement, heart rate, and menstrual cycles. Plus, they boast an impressive 30-day battery life. Smartwatches offer a wide range of features and functions that make..
Lenovo Legion Go gaming handheld levels up gaming with its portable controllers

Lenovo Legion Go gaming handheld levels up gaming with its portable controllers

Powered by the AMD Ryzen Z1 Series processor, Legion Go is Lenovo’s first Windows 11 gaming handheld device. It creates an immersive experience for its gamers. The IFA 2023 event has brought us a delightful surprise in the form of..
Ugreen announces the release of a 5-port 300W GaN desktop charger

Ugreen announces the release of a 5-port 300W GaN desktop charger

Ugreen, a global leader in charging accessories, has partnered with Navitas Semiconductor. They announce the release of their new 5-port 300W GaN desktop charger: the Ugreen Nexode 300W desktop charger. A 300W GaN charger First of all, “Navitas has been..
XGIMI HORIZON Ultra 4K home projector brings bright visuals with Dolby Vision

XGIMI HORIZON Ultra 4K home projector brings bright visuals with Dolby Vision

Discover the HORIZON Ultra 4K long-throw home projector by XGIMI, a game-changer for home theaters and living rooms. It delivers stunning visuals with Dolby Vision, 4K UHD resolution, and a laser/LED hybrid system. Read our review to explore its innovative..
LG StanbyME Go is a brilliant portable touchscreen companion in a briefcase design

LG StanbyME Go is a brilliant portable touchscreen companion in a briefcase design

The StanbyME Go is a 27-inch LG smart TV with a 1080p touchscreen, all compacted in a stylish briefcase and complete with the company’s WebOS TV software and a wireless 3-hour lasting monitor. Check out this portable touchscreen TV! Isn’t..