Toyota and Joby Aviation enhance electric air mobility push
Meetup held in Shizuoka, Japan
Senior officials of Toyota Motor Corporation and Joby Aviation, the two entities which are collaborating to advance electric air mobility, gathered at Toyota’s Higashi-Fuji Technical Centre in Shizuoka, Japan, for an event that also featured a demonstration of Joby’s electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL).
Joby is a California-based transportation company developing an eVTOL air taxi that intends to operate as part of a fast, quiet, and convenient service in cities worldwide.
Toyota is investing $500 million in Joby. The investment is scheduled to be made in two equal tranches, with the first targeted to close later this year and the second in 2025.
Toyota’s commitment to enhancing mobility has deep roots, dating back a century. In 1925, Sakichi Toyoda, the founder of the Toyota Group, initiated a prize to foster the development of a battery capable of powering an aircraft across the Pacific Ocean.
This legacy of innovation continued with Kiichiro Toyoda, who explored aircraft prototypes, and Dr Shoichiro Toyoda, who contributed to the development of the world’s first electronically controlled aero piston engine. Today, the vision of air mobility remains alive, with batteries emerging as viable power sources for eVTOL technology. As Toyota evolves into a comprehensive mobility company, it seeks partnerships that expand its horizons.
Joe Ben Bevirt, CEO and founder of Joby, envisions a future where environmental footprints are minimised, allowing people to enjoy their time without the burdens of traffic congestion.
Akio Toyoda, Chairman of Toyota, echoes this ambition, emphasising the importance of providing mobility solutions that benefit everyone. The collaboration between these two leaders has blossomed over the past seven years, culminating in Joby’s inaugural air taxi exhibition flight in Japan.
“This is a moment we have been looking forward to for a long time and marks a significant milestone on our journey towards making clean air travel an everyday reality,” said Bevirt. He expressed pride in sharing a vision for the future of air travel with Toyota, showcasing their innovative air taxi during the event.
Hiroki Nakajima, Executive Vice President of Toyota, highlighted the transformative potential of air mobility. “It has the power to alter our perception of distance and time, enriching lives through new travel options,” he stated.
Nakajima reaffirmed Toyota’s dedication to deepening its partnership with Joby, working collaboratively to bring their shared dreams to fruition.
Toyota and Joby’s partnership signifies a leap toward innovative air mobility solutions and aims to make mobility accessible and enjoyable. As they continue to develop their collaborative efforts, they are committed to creating a future that offers greater freedom and prosperity in transportation.
Both companies are poised to redefine urban travel by implementing eVTOL technology. These aircraft are designed for short-range, high-frequency operations, catering to the on-demand air taxi market. By integrating the best aspects of helicopters, drones, and small aircraft, eVTOLs aim to deliver reliability, environmental sustainability, and enhanced safety features.
Featured image: Toyota and Joby’s partnership signifies a leap toward innovative air mobility solutions and aims to make mobility accessible and enjoyable. Credit: Toyota
