ELECTRIC AIR TAXIS THE FUTURE IS HERE!

Joby Aviation is aiming to launch commercial service of its eVTOL vehicles in 2025. It has also signed a contract with US Air Force for its electric vehicles to be stationed at US Military Base

- AYUSHEE CHAUDHARY

The transportation and aviation landscape is transforming and promises to drastically change how we move around in the near future. The electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) are pushing the drive to change with various companies and disruptive technologies coming up.

Having started in 2007, Joby Aviation has been growing steadily through the years to eventually take-off for a smooth flight with its recent share of developments. Joby Aviation, a Californiabased company developing electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, recently announced the third extension of its Agility Prime contract with the United States Air Force (USAF). The $55 million contract extension brings the total potential value of Joby’s current contract with the Air Force up to $131 million.

As part of the agreement, Joby will deliver and operate up to nine of its five-seat, low-noise, zero operating emissions aircraft, providing the Air Force and other federal agencies with firsthand experience of the performance of Joby’s aircraft and its potential applications. The first two aircraft are expected to be delivered to Edwards Air Force Base, California, by early 2024, and will be used to demonstrate a range of potential logistics use cases, including cargo and passenger transportation. In doing so, they are expected to become the first electric air taxis to be stationed at a US military base.