Joby成立于2009年，目前专注于开发eVTOL（电动垂直起降飞行器）。早于2018年，日本丰田汽车就通过旗下的创业投资等向Joby出资。本次试飞前，丰田宣布追加5亿美元投资，支持Joby飞机的认证和商业生产。①USA flying car company Joby Aviation announced that its electric air taxi prototype performed its first overseas test flight in Japan; ②Joby's prototype can carry one pilot and four passengers, with a top speed of about 200 miles per hour, taking only about 25 minutes to fly from Tokyo to Shizuoka.
Financial联社 November 4th news (Editor Zhao Hao) Monday (November 4th) pre-market trading, USA flying car company Joby Aviation, Inc. announced on its official website that the company's electric air taxi prototype performed its first overseas test flight in Japan.
Source: Joby Aviation Official Website
Established in 2009, Joby is currently focused on developing eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft). As early as 2018, Japan's Toyota Motor invested in Joby through its startup investment and more. Before this test flight, Toyota announced an additional $0.5 billion investment to support Joby's aircraft certification and commercial production.
Last Saturday (November 2), Toyota's research and development base, the "Eastern Fuji Research Institute," publicly displayed Joby's prototype to the media. Toyota's Chairman (Director) Akio Toyoda and representatives from the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau gathered at the test site, where the prototype completed test flights within view of Mt. Fuji.
Source: Joby Aviation Official Website
In 2023, Toyota and Joby signed a long-term agreement where Toyota will provide crucial power systems and drive components for Joby's aircraft production. Joby's prototype can carry one pilot and four passengers with a top speed of about 200 miles per hour (320 kilometers).
During the event, Toyota and Joby celebrated nearly seven years of partnership. Toyota's Chairman (Director) Akio Toyoda remarked, "It takes four to five hours to drive from Tokyo to here (Shizuoka), and now you can fly there in 25 minutes. Life will change."
The press release stated that Toyota's total investment in Joby is close to 0.9 billion US dollars. Hiroki Nakajima, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of Toyota Motor, said, "Urban air mobility has the potential to change our sense of 'distance and time'. Toyota will continue to deepen its cooperation with Joby."
eVTOL is seen as a highlight at the Osaka Kansai Expo next year, with several companies previously planning to showcase eVTOL at the expo. However, due to difficulties in obtaining commercial flight approvals, including Joby, the 'urban flying car,' will only be demonstrating flights around the venue perimeter.
