Delayed subways? Bumper-to-bumper traffic? Joby Aviation could make those transportation nightmares a thing of the past in NYC, if you can believe it.
The California-based company ventured east at the beginning of October to provide New Yorkers with a glimpse of its electric air taxis, a.k.a. our potential future commute. The helicopter seats five (one pilot, four riders) and includes several rotors. A few interesting tidbits about the method of transportation:
- It has vertical takeoff and landing
- It can reach up to 200 miles per hour
- It is considered “as quiet as a conversation”
- It has a 100-mile range
- It includes a payload of 1,000 pounds
We were excited to hear that Uber’s launching an airport shuttle service, but this futuristic rideshare takes traveling in one of the most congested cities in the U.S. to new heights, quite literally.
Joby, and one of its counterparts Blade, can cut down your commute time and avoid headaches altogether. But what’s the likelihood of us ordering an air taxi rideshare in the near future? Considering Joby is attempting certification through the Federal Aviation Administration and working with companies like Toyota — a recent donor — Uber, and Delta Airlines, New Yorkers could be en route to JFK à la The Jetsons sooner than they thought.
“[Toyota’s $500 million] investment builds on nearly seven years of collaboration between our companies,” JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO, Joby Aviation, said in a statement. “The knowledge and support shared by Toyota has been instrumental in Joby’s success and we look forward to deepening our relationship as we deliver on our shared vision for the future of air travel.”
The wheels are certainly in motion. But for the time being, we’ll remain on the ground and keep you informed about any air taxi update in the near future. That being said, if you’ll excuse us, we’re on our way to catch the train.