Toyota is further strengthening its relationship with Joby Aviation which is developing electric air taxis with a new investment of $500 million. The funding is intended to help the company manufacture commercial eVTOL aircraft and obtain the necessary aviation certification to enable Joby to launch its air taxi service in 2025.

Toyota is doubling its investment in Joby Aviation which is developing electric air taxis with a $500 million investment. This brings Toyota’s total investment in Joby to $894 million. The investment will be used to complete the ongoing Type Certification process at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and to support commercial production of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Joby aims to launch its air taxi service in 2025 and is already in the fourth phase of type certification. They recently unveiled their third aircraft and have started construction of a new factory in California.

Joby, founded in 2009 by JoeBen Bevirt, has been working on developing an eVTOL aircraft for more than a decade. In recent years, the company has become increasingly visible, making several significant business moves, such as acquiring Uber’s air taxi arm, Elevate, in 2020. Toyota has been collaborating with Joby since 2019, sharing manufacturing expertise and their engineers work directly with Joby’s team in California.

The vision for urban air mobility

The development of eVTOL aircraft is seen as a critical step towards Urban Air Mobility (UAM), an emerging concept that envisions a system of aerial transport capable of decongesting ground traffic in urban environments. The rise of air taxis, such as those being developed by Joby, is aimed at making this futuristic vision a reality. Urban air mobility promises to dramatically reduce travel time between key locations within cities and even extend to suburban or regional travel, cutting down on long commutes that many city dwellers face today.

The concept of UAM is not just about speed; it also focuses on the potential for reducing environmental impact. Electric air taxis are zero-emission vehicles thus aligning with broader global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions particularly in urban areas where air quality is a significant concern. This focus on sustainability is one of the reasons why Toyota, traditionally known for its pioneering work with hybrid and electric vehicles, has shown a strong interest in Joby Aviation’s technology.

Toyota’s role in eVTOL manufacturing

Toyota’s involvement in the development of Joby’s eVTOL aircraft goes far beyond financial support. Toyota brings its vast expertise in lean manufacturing and mass production to the table, providing guidance that could be pivotal in transforming small-scale aircraft production into a scalable commercial process. Unlike traditional aircraft manufacturing which often deals with lower production volumes and highly specialized components, Toyota is helping Joby adapt automotive-style mass production techniques to the aviation sector.

Toyota has been known for its Toyota Production System (TPS) which emphasizes efficiency, high quality and just-in-time production. Applying these principles to the eVTOL market aims to bring down production costs while ensuring reliability and safety which are crucial in aviation. Toyota’s engineers are working on-site with Joby’s teams in California, actively applying TPS methodologies to the assembly and testing processes.

To scale eVTOL production, building a robust supply chain is another critical aspect and Toyota’s extensive global network in automotive component manufacturing could play a crucial role in sourcing lightweight materials and key electronic components. This synergy between automotive and aviation industries is a unique aspect of Joby’s strategy and one that may give them an advantage over competitors in the rapidly developing eVTOL space.

Challenges in the certification process

The process of obtaining type certification for an eVTOL aircraft is one of the most significant challenges for Joby Aviation. Certification by the FAA is an extensive and rigorous process, involving multiple phases of assessment, including design, development, flight testing and safety evaluations. Joby is currently in the fourth phase of the five-phase type certification process. This stage focuses on extensive flight testing to demonstrate that the aircraft meets all safety and regulatory requirements set forth by the FAA.

The FAA’s certification process ensures that all new aircraft, including eVTOLs, meet stringent safety and reliability standards. The complexity of this process cannot be overstated—particularly for new technologies like eVTOL which combine elements of helicopter and drone flight with new electric propulsion systems. Certification becomes even more challenging as it involves ensuring redundancy in critical systems, developing new pilot training programs and creating maintenance standards that can be scaled across an entire fleet.

Competition in the eVTOL market

The eVTOL market has been drawing significant attention from both startups and established aerospace companies. Joby faces competition from other leading eVTOL developers such as Archer Aviation, Vertical Aerospace and Lilium. Each of these companies has made substantial progress in their respective eVTOL programs and each has attracted high-profile investors and partners, similar to Joby’s collaboration with Toyota.

For example, Archer Aviation has partnered with Stellantis, a major automotive manufacturer, to leverage their expertise in mass production and engineering. Meanwhile, Lilium is taking a different approach with its unique “jet” configuration that aims to provide higher-speed inter-city travel compared to some of its competitors. As competition heats up, factors such as range, speed, noise level, cost efficiency and, crucially, the ability to gain certification, will determine the success of these ventures.

Future of air taxis and public perception

Public perception is a key factor in the widespread adoption of air taxis. Concerns over safety, noise pollution and affordability will need to be addressed for eVTOLs to become a viable option for urban transport. Noise, in particular, is a major consideration; while eVTOLs are quieter than helicopters due to their electric propulsion, they still need to meet acceptable noise levels for urban deployment.

Joby has been focusing heavily on minimizing noise levels during take-off, landing and cruising. Their prototype aircraft has demonstrated noise levels of 65 decibels at 100 meters during take-off which is significantly quieter compared to a conventional helicopter. Such advancements are crucial to ensure that air taxis do not contribute to noise pollution in cities which would otherwise hinder their acceptance.

In addition, infrastructure development is crucial for the success of air taxis. The establishment of vertiports (small airports for eVTOL operations) within urban centers is required to enable a seamless travel experience. Companies like Volocopter are already working on building the infrastructure needed to support UAM. Governments and local municipalities will also play a significant role in enabling the widespread implementation of air taxi services by setting regulations and developing urban infrastructure that supports this new mode of transportation.

Potential impact on transportation

The rise of air taxis could fundamentally alter the landscape of urban transportation. If successfully implemented, UAM could provide an alternative to congested road networks, drastically cutting travel times, especially in cities with chronic traffic issues like Los Angeles, Mumbai and Beijing. By offering a fast, efficient and zero-emission mode of travel, air taxis could complement existing public transportation networks and help cities meet their carbon emission reduction goals.

Moreover, the advent of autonomous air taxis in the future could further enhance the benefits of UAM by reducing costs and increasing safety through advanced automation technologies. Autonomous vehicles in the air would remove the need for a pilot thus lowering operational costs and potentially making air taxi services accessible to a larger portion of the population.

However, the road to mass adoption of air taxis is fraught with challenges. Regulatory hurdles, infrastructure limitations, high production costs and the necessity of convincing a skeptical public all need to be addressed. Nevertheless, with the backing of industry giants like Toyota and with technological advancements happening at a rapid pace, the concept of urban air mobility could soon transform from a futuristic dream into an everyday reality.

Source: techcrunch.com