Joby Aviation is gearing up (actually) eVTOL manufacturing within the US because it prepares for scaled business operations. The corporate is ramping up capabilities and its two present amenities in two states, leveraging the perception from its long-term investor, Toyota.
If in case you have any curiosity within the blossoming eVTOL and air taxi business, Joby Aviation ($JOBY) is a reputation you’re going to wish to be aware of because it continues to advance as one of many leaders within the house. The California-based aviation specialist continues publicly showcasing that it has the tech and monetary backing to achieve scaled eVTOL manufacturing en path to commercialization and paid air taxi flights within the US and past.
We’ve already seen Joby full demonstration flights in New York Metropolis, teasing a way forward for full-fledged eVTOL air taxi operations initially deliberate for someday in 2025. In 2024, Joby introduced a definitive settlement with the federal government of Dubai to start air taxi operations within the United Arab Emirates (UAE), together with unique rights to aerial operations within the nation’s capital for six years.
As of June, Joby had begun piloted flights within the area because it continued to bolster eVTOL manufacturing within the US. Within the fall of 2024, Joby took an experimental eVTOL air taxi to Japan for its first worldwide demonstration flight above Shizuoka with a stupendous view of Mt. Fuji as its backdrop, by a long-standing partnership with Toyota.
As a accomplice and big investor in Joby Aviation, Toyota and its staff of engineers have just lately helped counsel the design and workflow of the previous’s just lately expanded manufacturing amenities.
Joby expands eVTOL manufacturing in California and Ohio
Per an replace from Joby Aviation this morning, it has expanded its Marina, California, manufacturing facility (pictured above) to roughly 435,000 sq. toes, enabling it to double its annual plane output.
As soon as absolutely operational, Joby’s California facility is anticipated to supply as much as 24 eVTOL plane yearly. It is going to additionally host the corporate’s preliminary FAA manufacturing certification, floor and flight testing elements, pilot coaching simulators, and plane upkeep.
Joby’s different footprints embody its headquarters in Santa Cruz, California, a powertrain and electronics facility in San Carlos, California, and a newly renovated facility in Dayton, Ohio, the place Joby plans to fabricate and take a look at the elements for its pilot manufacturing line.
Joby acknowledged that the Ohio facility can be essential in manufacturing certification and its targets for scaled eVTOL operations. Joby’s chief product officer, Eric Allison, elaborated:
Reimagining city mobility takes pace, scale, and precision manufacturing. Our expanded manufacturing footprint in each California and Ohio is getting ready us to do exactly that. We celebrated the opening of the brand new facility with the flight of our sixth plane, which earned airworthiness certification inside every week of completion.
To attain licensed manufacturing and scaled business operations extra rapidly, Joby enlisted the assistance of Toyota’s engineers to help within the expansions of its manufacturing amenities. Per the discharge:
Toyota engineers are deeply built-in with the Joby staff, offering counsel to help Joby’s work throughout design, manufacturing, and high quality. Toyota additionally helps the Joby staff optimize processes, streamline meeting, and supply recommendation associated to the event of customized tooling to speed up manufacturing.
Whereas the Marina facility is essential to Joby’s speedy progress, Dayton will ultimately turn into house to most of Joby’s eVTOL manufacturing, as the location might ultimately construct as many as 500 plane per yr.
