Wed, Nov 06, 2024
Follows Toyota’s $500 Million Investment into Joby Aircraft Development
Joby, in partnership with mega automotive manufacturer Toyota, recently completed its first air taxi flight in Japan. This trails behind Toyota’s confirmation of a new $500 million investment for the certification and production of the Joby electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
The international debut flight occurred at Toyota’s Higashi-Fuji Technical Center in Shizuoka, Japan. Joby demonstrated the capabilities of its quiet and emission-free electric air taxi and celebrated almost seven years of partnership with Toyota Motor Corporation.
The Joby electric air taxi is intended to carry one pilot and four passengers at a time. It can reach speeds of up to 200 mph, fly for 100 miles at a time, and support a payload of 1,000 lbs while producing zero emissions and significantly less noise than the typical rotorcraft.
The manufacturer’s end goal is to use the eVTOL to improve urban mobility. By avoiding vehicle traffic, Joby claims, the nearly 2-hour drive from Shizuoka to Tokyo, Japan can be accomplished in just 25 minutes.
Joby’s eVTOL took its first crewed flight in October 2023 and shortly after hosted a demo in New York City. The manufacturer aims to kick off commercial passenger service in 2025 with global partners like Uber and Delta Airlines. It has already applied for certification with Japan’s Civil Aviation Bureau (CAB).
“Air mobility has the potential to change our sense of distance and time, and open a future with the new option of air mobility that will further enrich the lives of many people,” commented Hiroki Nakajima, executive VP and chief technology officer of Toyota. “Toyota is committed to deepening our collaboration with Joby and we will continue to work together to realize our shared dreams.”
This announcement followed Toyota’s dedication of $500 million to support Joby’s eVTOL development. The motor corporation signed a long-term deal to provide aircraft components to Joby in 2023 and has already given almost $400 million to the cause.
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