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Toyota has announced an additional investment of $500 million in Joby Aviation, a pioneering company established in 2009 that focuses on the development, production, and certification of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
This latest funding round follows a previous investment of $394 million made in 2020. The Japanese automotive leader aims to accelerate progress towards achieving a mutual vision for air mobility shared by both companies.
Joby Aviation has emerged as a frontrunner in the air taxi sector, particularly after acquiring Uber’s Elevate division in 2020. Uber also contributed $75 million to expedite the development and certification processes.
According to Toyota, this partnership extends beyond mere financial support; it involves sharing expertise related to the Toyota Production System through process planning, manufacturing method innovation, and tooling design.
Engineers from both organizations have been collaborating at Joby’s California facility to establish an effective production strategy for commercial electric air taxis while prioritizing certification efforts necessary for bringing this technology into operation soon.
As reported by Joby Aviation, they are nearing completion of the fourth stage out of five required for type certification that will enable their aircraft to enter production.
Ready for Takeoff
The emergence of electric vertical take-off vehicles may seem like something out of science fiction; however, advancements have accelerated significantly over recent years. Companies such as Hyundai Motor Group with its Supernal initiative and China’s XPeng HT Aero are making substantial strides in this field.
Many firms envision operating ride-hailing services similar to Uber’s model that would allow small groups of passengers to travel aboard manned eVTOL vehicles resembling large multi-rotor drones. There are also plans being considered for unmanned flights.
Supernal’s SA-2 electric aircraft features four seats and eight rotors designed for lift-off capabilities. It can reach speeds up to 120 mph over distances ranging from 25 miles up to approximately 40 miles.
This craft is designed to fly at around 1,500 feet altitude—lower than traditional commercial helicopters—aiming specifically at alleviating traffic congestion by traveling between designated ‘vertiports’ within urban environments.
A recent report from the Global Advanced/Urban Air Mobility Market Map team indicates that there are currently over 1,044 eVTOL vertiports under development worldwide which could become operational by as early as 2028.
This year saw the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), responsible for regulating civil aviation within the United States, finalize its airworthiness criteria, enabling Joby Aviation’s continued progress toward type certification approval.
However, it’s important to note that regulatory frameworks differ globally; China possesses its own set of regulations which may provide local companies with more flexibility when testing new technologies—potentially giving them an advantage in shaping future eVTOL transportation solutions.
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