While much attention is focused on electric cars đźš— , another innovative mode of transport is gaining significant traction: Electric VTOL airplanes.
Firstly, what does VTOL mean? It stands for Vertical Take-Off and Landing, a technology initially pioneered by Britain with the iconic Harrier aircraft. The principle behind VTOL is “thrust vectoring,” where the engine’s exhaust is directed downward to achieve lift-off. Although straightforward in theory, the practical implementation is quite challenging. Factors like wind direction and precise control systems are critical for a successful lift-off; otherwise, the aircraft risks becoming unstable.
Another variant in VTOL technology is exemplified by Boeing’s V-22 Osprey, which employs a tilt-rotor mechanism to achieve vertical lift. Here, the rotor tilts 90 degrees relative to the ground. Electric VTOL airplanes operate on a similar concept but utilize electric motors powered by batteries instead of conventional aero engines.
Enter Joby Aviation, a California-based deep-tech company established in 2009. Joby is on the verge of introducing such an aircraft to the market as a commercial passenger air taxi. In contrast to other futuristic technologies that are decades away from realization, Joby’s offering appears nearly ready for commercial deployment. In 2020, the company even acquired Uber’s flying taxi division, Uber Elevate. With a range of approximately 150 miles on a single charge and speeds of up to 200 mph, this technology holds considerable promise for alleviating traffic congestion in large urban centers.
Further bolstering Joby’s prospects is a strategic partnership with Toyota, aimed at optimizing manufacturing processes. The company also holds around 30 patents, one of which (US11615501) focuses on generating flight plans for a ride-sharing network. Recently, Joby announced plans to establish a manufacturing facility in Dayton, Ohio—coincidentally, the birthplace of aviation pioneers, the Wright brothers. This initiative is projected to generate around 1,700 jobs, contributing positively to the local community.
However, the most significant challenge facing this venture isn’t the technology per se, but achieving commercial viability. The key to long-term success lies in scaling operations to high volumes. If realized, this technology has the potential to revolutionize urban commuting within the next two decades.