Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced a $500 million investment in a Dayton-area production facility for flying taxis, bringing the concept closer to reality.
Joby Aviation, based in Santa Cruz, California, received $325 million in government incentives to establish the plant, aiming to launch electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles as early as 2025.
These advanced taxis are known for their quiet operation, vertical takeoff and landing capabilities, high speeds, and ranges comparable to older electric cars.
Airlines like United are teaming up with manufacturers to transform this once-distant concept into a feasible mode of transportation.
Companies like Blade are looking to launch the air service from Midtown Manhattan to the Hamptons. Google subsidiary Wing is using eVTOL vehicles for deliveries, and some of these vehicles can be operated without a pilot’s license.
According to the Associated Press, the drone-like vehicles, designed to carry four passengers and a pilot, has accumulated around 30,000 hours of testing on prototypes.
Following the acquisition of Uber Elevate in late 2020, the manufacturer aims to launch ride-sharing services in 2025. The company is expected to offer a 7-minutes trip from lower Manhattan to JFK.
“Flying with us might feel more like getting into an SUV than boarding a plane,” according to Joby’s website.
Recently, Joby has partnered with major companies like Toyota, Delta Air Lines, and Intel. The chosen site, expected to create 2,000 jobs, is close to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, which houses the Air Force Research Laboratory headquarters.
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