Joby Aviation successfully conducts inaugural overseas electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) flight in Japan in collaboration with Toyota?

Joby Aviation, the pioneer in electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxis, leveraged a recent $500 million investment from Toyota to bring its aviation expertise to Japan for the first time. In collaboration with its enterprise partner, Joby showcased sustainable flight capabilities through an accompanying video.

Joby Aviation ($JOBY), a pioneer in electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) transportation, is making significant strides in the burgeoning industry, showcasing its technical prowess and securing substantial financial backing from investors.

Joby successfully conducted its maiden flight with a pilot on board in October 2023, precipitating a significant milestone in New York City ahead of planned full-scale eVTOL air taxi operations anticipated for 2025.

Early adopters, such as Toyota Motor Company, which entered the eVTOL space in 2019, have committed significant investments totaling thousands upon thousands of dollars in funding. Toyota, Japan’s leading original equipment manufacturer, has dispatched dozens of its engineers to collaborate with Joby’s team, leveraging their expertise to help design the eVTOL production facility and manufacturing procedures necessary for high-volume production in the US.

In the final month, Toyota significantly increased its earlier investments in Joby Aviation, committing a substantial $500 million to support the company’s efforts to achieve certification and ramp up production of its electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxis. To further solidify its collaboration, Joby successfully showcased its pioneering eVTOL air taxi in Japan’s skies, embarking on its inaugural global demonstration flight above Shizuoka, where the majestic Mt. Fuji provided a breathtaking backdrop for this groundbreaking achievement. Fuji as its backdrop.

Joby successfully concludes its maiden voyage of an electric air taxi service in Japan.

Joby Aviation successfully completed a pilotless, autonomous air taxi flight over Toyota’s Higashi-Fuji Technical Centre in Shizuoka, Japan, on the weekend.

At a milestone event, executives from partner corporations joined forces with Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda to celebrate the inaugural international flight of the air taxi, marking a significant step forward in this innovative venture. The drone successfully executed a vertical takeoff and transitioned to a stable horizontal flight over the skies of Japan. Per Journeys, founded by entrepreneur and CEO Joe Brown.

As we embark on our inaugural overseas flight, this significant milestone underscores our unwavering commitment to rendering clear air travel a reality for all. As we align with Toyota’s bold vision for the future of mobility, we’re proud to have showcased its potential during our Japanese flight demonstration.

With Toyoda and the Motor Company’s government vice president and chief expert Hiroki Nakajima, as well as representatives from Japan’s Civil Aviation Bureau, attending along with other main stakeholders, the air taxi flight demonstration unfolded before their eyes.

Joby Aviation and Toyota are poised to solidify their strategic partnership, driving the widespread adoption of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxis across Japan and beyond. Toyota’s latest investment in an aviation company will enable it to establish a manufacturing partnership that supports its initial phase of eVTOL commercialisation. Here’s the check flight video?