Joby Aviation and its strategic partner Toyota Motor Corporation have publicly demonstrated their four-passenger eVTOL aircraft in Japan. The display was conducted against the iconic backdrop of Mount Fuji on November 2.
The Japanese car maker has been aligned with Joby for seven years and in October committed to a further $500 million investment in the California-based company, taking its total backing to $894 million. Toyota’s engineers now work closely with the Joby team and in 2023 the companies signed a long-term agreement for Toyota to supply powertrain and actuation components for the aircraft.
“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,” said Hiroki Nakajima, executive vice president and chief technology officer of Toyota Motor Corporation. “Toyota is committed to deepening our collaboration with Joby and we will continue to work together to realize our shared dreams.”
According to Joby, a key purpose of the public flight was to demonstrate the all-electric aircraft’s low-noise footprint. Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda was among the stakeholders present, along with representatives of Japan’s Civil Aviation Bureau.
“Our first overseas flight marks a significant milestone on our journey towards making clear air travel an everyday reality,” said Joby founder and CEO JoeBen Bevirt. “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.”
Japanese start-up SkyDrive is working on its own plans to bring the SD-05 three-seat eVTOL aircraft to market and is partnered with the Suzuki Motor Corporation. In August, it announced a further $55 million in funding and has reported pre-orders for the aircraft from prospective customers in Japan, South Korea, Vietnam and the U.S.
Japanese government officials have shown encouragement for the development of advanced air mobility, engaging with multiple eVTOL developers, including Volocopter, EHang, and Vertical Aerospace. The 2025 World Expo to be staged in Osaka from April through October is expected to include a Smart Mobility Expo that will feature eVTOL flight demonstrations.
