Toyota and Joby Mark First Air Taxi Success in Japan Achieving New Milestones

In a remarkable achievement, Toyota Motor Corporation and Joby Aviation completed the first international exhibition flight of Joby’s electric air taxi. The flight took place at Toyota’s Higashi-Fuji Technical Center in Shizuoka, Japan, with the majestic Mount Fuji in the background.

A Partnership Focused on Sustainable Mobility

This flight marked a major milestone in the seven-year collaboration between Toyota and Joby. The partnership has been dedicated to transforming urban air travel using Joby’s electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. The demonstration flight showcased the aircraft’s low noise levels and zero-emission capabilities, proving its potential for reducing urban congestion and minimizing environmental impact.

Toyota’s Role in Electric Aviation

Toyota has played a key role in supporting Joby by providing insights from its expertise in automotive manufacturing. Toyota engineers work side-by-side with Joby’s team in California, focusing on developing critical components like powertrains and actuation systems. In 2023, both companies signed a long-term agreement for Toyota to supply essential parts for producing Joby’s aircraft.

Celebrating a Shared Vision for the Future

JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby, emphasized the significance of this milestone: “Our first overseas flight marks a significant milestone on our journey towards making clean air travel an everyday reality.” Furthermore, he added, “We share Toyota’s vision for the future of mobility and are honored to have had the opportunity to present a glimpse of that future through our flight in Japan.” Akio Toyoda, Chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation, and other key stakeholders attended the event to celebrate this historic moment.

Hiroki Nakajima, executive vice president of Toyota, highlighted, “Air mobility has the potential to change our ‘sense of distance and time’ and open a future with the new option of air mobility that will further enrich the lives of many people.” He reaffirmed Toyota’s commitment to deepening its collaboration with Joby, aiming to realize their shared dreams of sustainable air travel.

A Step Towards Commercial Production and a Sustainable Future

The exhibition flight comes on the heels of Toyota’s additional $500 million investment in Joby to support certification and commercial production. This new funding will bring Toyota’s total investment in Joby to $894 million, laying the foundation for a manufacturing alliance to launch commercial air taxi services.

The success of this test flight signals a promising future for electric air travel. As both companies refine their technologies and seek regulatory approvals, the vision of quiet, efficient, and zero-emission air taxis is inching closer to becoming a reality. This achievement paves the way for integrating air taxis in urban environments, potentially transforming the transportation landscape worldwide.

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