10-29-2021, 01:53 PM
Tie-ups in the skyIn
January, Toyota said it is investing $394 million into Silicon
Valley-based Joby Aviation, which is developing a piloted all-electric
vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi. The move, part of a
financing round worth $590 million, will help Joby launch an electric
air-taxi service by 2023 and gives the company access to Toyota’s
prowess in manufacturing, quality and cost control. The start-up is
building a prototype that it says should eventually approach the cost of
ground transportation and help a billion people save more than an hour
in commuting time every day.
“Joby
has developed advanced technology and integrated it into an amazing
aircraft through thoughtful design; this is the key to successful market
entry and the commercial success of our products,” says Joby
spokesperson Mojgan Khalili. “Joby Aviation’s aircraft is designed for
four passengers plus a pilot. It can travel more than 150 miles on a
single charge, is 100 times quieter than conventional aircraft during
takeoff and landing, and is near silent in flyover.”
In another Asian-American partnership, South Korean carmaker Hyundai and Uber showed off a mockup of a large flying taxi at
the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas for the Uber Elevate aerial
ride-hailing service. The electrically powered PAV or “personal air
vehicle,” will have the capability of carrying four passengers
on trips of up to 60 miles at speeds reaching 180 mph. They will be
able to cruise at altitudes up to 2,000 ft. Hyundai said the
all-electric craft could be recharged in minutes, but did not elaborate
on how.
Uber has said it wants to begin testing of vertical
takeoff and landing vehicles in 2020 and launch its first official ride
three years later, rolling out services in Dallas, Los Angeles and
Melbourne. It aims to make flying taxis cheaper than owning passenger
cars. Uber Elevate is planning to begin demonstration flights this
year.
“We believe Hyundai has the potential to build Uber Air
vehicles at rates unseen in the current aerospace industry, producing
high quality, reliable aircraft at high volumes to drive down passenger
costs per trip,” Eric Allison, head of Uber Elevate, said in a release.
“Combining Hyundai’s manufacturing muscle with Uber’s technology
platform represents a giant leap forward for launching a vibrant air
taxi network in the coming years.”
Toyota,
Joby, Uber and Hyundai are working in a field that’s already crowded
with contenders. Boeing, another partner in the Uber Elevate program,
has already begun flight tests of its prototype air taxi. German
start-up Lilium Aviation sent a prototype remote-controlled, jet-powered
eVTOL on its maiden flight last year and later completed the first phase of testing. Stuttgart-based Volocopter, backed by Intel, Daimler and Geely, has apparently logged over 1,000 test flights and aims for fully autonomous commercial flights in five to 10 years.
January, Toyota said it is investing $394 million into Silicon
Valley-based Joby Aviation, which is developing a piloted all-electric
vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi. The move, part of a
financing round worth $590 million, will help Joby launch an electric
air-taxi service by 2023 and gives the company access to Toyota’s
prowess in manufacturing, quality and cost control. The start-up is
building a prototype that it says should eventually approach the cost of
ground transportation and help a billion people save more than an hour
in commuting time every day.
Joby Aviation is developing electric passenger planes and an air taxi service.
“Joby
has developed advanced technology and integrated it into an amazing
aircraft through thoughtful design; this is the key to successful market
entry and the commercial success of our products,” says Joby
spokesperson Mojgan Khalili. “Joby Aviation’s aircraft is designed for
four passengers plus a pilot. It can travel more than 150 miles on a
single charge, is 100 times quieter than conventional aircraft during
takeoff and landing, and is near silent in flyover.”
In another Asian-American partnership, South Korean carmaker Hyundai and Uber showed off a mockup of a large flying taxi at
the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas for the Uber Elevate aerial
ride-hailing service. The electrically powered PAV or “personal air
vehicle,” will have the capability of carrying four passengers
on trips of up to 60 miles at speeds reaching 180 mph. They will be
able to cruise at altitudes up to 2,000 ft. Hyundai said the
all-electric craft could be recharged in minutes, but did not elaborate
on how.
Uber has said it wants to begin testing of vertical
takeoff and landing vehicles in 2020 and launch its first official ride
three years later, rolling out services in Dallas, Los Angeles and
Melbourne. It aims to make flying taxis cheaper than owning passenger
cars. Uber Elevate is planning to begin demonstration flights this
year.
“We believe Hyundai has the potential to build Uber Air
vehicles at rates unseen in the current aerospace industry, producing
high quality, reliable aircraft at high volumes to drive down passenger
costs per trip,” Eric Allison, head of Uber Elevate, said in a release.
“Combining Hyundai’s manufacturing muscle with Uber’s technology
platform represents a giant leap forward for launching a vibrant air
taxi network in the coming years.”
Hyundai
Motor and Uber have announced a new partnership to develop Uber Air
Taxis for a future aerial ride share network and unveiled a new
full-scale aircraft concept at CES.Hyundai
Motor and Uber have announced a new partnership to develop Uber Air
Taxis for a future aerial ride share network and unveiled a new
full-scale aircraft concept at CES.Hyundai
Joby, Uber and Hyundai are working in a field that’s already crowded
with contenders. Boeing, another partner in the Uber Elevate program,
has already begun flight tests of its prototype air taxi. German
start-up Lilium Aviation sent a prototype remote-controlled, jet-powered
eVTOL on its maiden flight last year and later completed the first phase of testing. Stuttgart-based Volocopter, backed by Intel, Daimler and Geely, has apparently logged over 1,000 test flights and aims for fully autonomous commercial flights in five to 10 years.