One day soon, mid-century predictions about flying cars will come true.
What happened: Joby Aviation bought a 700,000-square-foot plant in Ohio to be the home of its new manufacturing facility. The Toyota-backed air taxi startup is seeking to double production by 2027 and secure U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification this year.
Joby also announced the delivery of new flight simulators for its vehicles, which can train up to 250 pilots a year — another crucial step toward certification.
Catch-up: Joby is one of the top names in the emerging electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL) space. Looking like a cross between a helicopter, a car, and a children’s drawing, some in the aviation industry believe eVTOLs are the future of short-haul air travel.
Their ability to take off and land without a runway make them ideal for both urban and rural environs, while electric batteries make them an eco-conscious flying option.
Joby plans to use eVTOLs for an Uber-like service (any pilot would get an automatic five stars from us if they don’t crash), which it hopes to launch in Dubai later this year.
Plus: eVTOLs have less bougie use cases than private taxi services. The World Economic Forum has highlighted the potential of the aircraft for remote transport and healthcare delivery. These areas are the focus of Canadian hybrid eVTOL startup Horizon Aircraft.
Why it matters: Last year, Canada joined a handful of countries, including the U.S., in a joint roadmap for the certification of advanced air mobility aircraft, such as eVTOLs. This implies that any FAA certifications portend potential future certifications in Canada.—QH