From driverless Ubers, AI screenwriters, jetpacks, smart houses, and more: it’s safe to say that we are presently living in the future. It seems however, that the future as portrayed in sci-fi classics like Blade Runner and 2001: Space Odyssey is even closer than we imagined… well maybe not for the latter. In 2030, Houston could see the introduction of pilotless air-taxis.
Here’s to hoping this finally solves Houston’s traffic problem. Boeing subsidiary, Wisk, is a company that specializes in all-electric, autonomous flight vehicles. The company is currently on their Generation 6 aircraft, an electric vertical takeoff and landing air taxi (eVTOL) designed for passenger transport.
This past week, the company partnered with Sugar Land officials to bring their autonomous flying taxis to the Greater Houston Area.
“The Greater Houston area is experiencing some of the highest population growth in the country, which calls for new and efficient ways to move across the region,” said Wisk CEO Brian Yutko in a press release.
“Sugar Land’s strategic location within the Greater Houston region, and its forward-thinking city leadership, make it an ideal partner for us and one that is uniquely positioned as an early leader in the launch of air taxi services. We look forward to working with Sugar Land, local ecosystem stakeholders, and the FAA on both ground and air infrastructure, as we bring autonomous air taxi services to the Greater Houston region.”
Under the partnership, Wisk and Sugar Land are set to pinpoint and evaluate a site at the Sugar Land Regional Airport for constructing vertiport infrastructure, facilitating Wisk’s autonomous air taxi operations.
This inaugural partnership aims to set the groundwork and serve as a starting point for creating an expansive network throughout the Greater Houston region.
“Sugar Land is committed to blazing new trails, and I believe our relentless approach has caught the attention of the private sector as we’ve sought innovative solutions to mobility in our community through efforts like Advanced Air Mobility,” said Michael W. Goodrum, Sugar Land City Manager.
“We are excited to partner with Wisk Aero on a new concept that just might change the way we travel — not only in our city but across the world.”
Wisk has already made agreements to bring autonomous air taxis to cities Los Angeles and Washington DC. No official date has been announced but the company aims to land its services in the Greater Houston Area by 2030.