Free Republic

The grind towards operational, commercial flying taxis might finally come to an end this summer. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and US Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy has selected eight projects for the Advanced Air Mobility and Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing Integration Pilot Program (eIPP). The new initiative is aimed at accelerating the safe commercial use of next-generation flying taxis. After receiving more than 30 proposals, the program selected eight state-led efforts spanning 26 states. These will test urban air taxis, regional passenger flights, cargo delivery, medical response, and autonomous operations in real-world conditions. Public operations are scheduled to...

Test flights of a driverless hover-taxi will take place in Singapore next year, a German aviation firm said, the latest innovation to offer an escape from Asia's monster traffic jams. Millions of commuters in the region's cities have to contend with chronic gridlock every day, sparking a race to develop new ways to avoid the snarl-ups. While the developed city-state of Singapore does not suffer major congestion, it is seen as a perfect test-bed for new technologies due to its compact size and openness to innovation. German firm Volocopter said Tuesday it will conduct the test flights in Singapore in...

Ride hailing app Uber wants to build flying taxis in France and announced on Thursday it would invest €20 million to develop the project. The American company made the announcement at the VivaTech technology fair in Paris on Thursday. It wants to develop an all-electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft in France over the next five years and will throw €20 million at the flying taxi project, known as Uber Elevate. That will include a new research and development center in Paris, its first technology hub outside of North America. The center will focus entirely on flying cars. […] Co-organizer...