Image via Joby Aviation
Toyota, which is notoriously cautious, just gave air taxi service Joby Aviation $250 million after already investing even more previously. The move is naturally turning heads and helping to legitimize the startup, which seeks to revolutionize how people get around.
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Previously, Toyota announced it would invest $500 million into Joby Aviation, of which the recent injection of $250 million is part. The air taxi company says that money is part of a growing “long-term collaboration” with the automaker.
Back in 2020, Toyota invested $390 million in Joby Aviation.
“We’re already seeing the benefit of working with Toyota in streamlining manufacturing processes and optimizing design,” said JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby. “This is an important next step in our alliance with Toyota to scale the promise of electric flight. With this capital and Toyota’s legendary production expertise, we’re enhancing our ability to scale cutting-edge design and manufacturing to meet the demands of our partners and customers.”
Joby will use the money to help certify the company’s all-electric air taxi and begin commercial production. The craft in question has six rotors in an array, making it similar to many modern drones.
That design also allows it to make vertical takeoffs like a helicopter, negating the need for a long runway for departures or arrivals. Instead, the air taxi only needs a stable landing surface.
Private citizens would be able to pay a fee to take one of these air taxis from one part of a city to another. Since the craft wouldn’t have to navigate the streets, in times of heavy traffic it could present a way to get from one place to another quickly and without hassle.
The company plans to have commercial flights begin in late 2025 to early 2026.
It also has a growing relationship with the US Department of Defense, having delivered at least two air taxis to Edwards Air Force Base. Exactly how the military will be using the craft isn’t clear, but we could imagine a few possible scenarios, as we’re sure you could too.
Images via Joby Aviation
