Important Innovations Collection

  D AILY INNOVATION BRIEF                                                                                                          By Journalists Edward Kane & Maryanne Kane HOT FLYING TAXI FROM JOBY AVIATION                                                                               Source:  Joby Aviation California-based Joby Aviation, in its early May message to shareholders about Q1 2023, said that it will launch commercial operations of...

Delta to Invest Up to $200 Million in eVTOL Maker Joby Aviation                                             Source:  Joby Aviation Flying Taxis Are Right on the Horizon Delta Airlines is making a big bet on the future of flying taxis.  It is partnering with leading, California-based eVTOL maker Joby Aviation to deliver "Home to Airport" flying taxi services.  Delta just made a $60 million investment in Joby for a 2% stake in the company. Delta has the option to invest $200 million in Joby if Joby reaches certain operational milestones. The partnership's goal is to push air taxis forward to become fully operational in the commercial marketplace.   Tech Specs Joby's 5-seat aircraft is an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle that's a cross between a helicopter and a drone. It's propelled by 6 tilt-rotors and battery powe...

Joby Wins 1st FAA Flying Certificate                                             Source:  Joby Aviation One Certificate Done & Two More to Go California-based flying taxi startup Joby Aviation is one big step closer to takeoff.  It just received its Part 135 Air Carrier Certificate from the FAA.  It is a major milestone for the company.  It means that Joby can begin operating its air taxi service.  But to legally fly passengers, it needs to secure two more certificates.  It must be awarded a Type Certificate from the FAA which declares that the company's eVTOL meets the Agency's design and safety standards.  It also needs to secure a Production Certificate when it is ready to start producing eVTOLS.  With those three certificates, Joby can start legally flying passengers in its air taxis.  Tech Specs and P...

Big Global Flying Taxi Partnership: ANA, Joby Aviation & Toyota                                             Source:  Joby Aviation Electric, eVTOL Air Commuting for Japan There's a big, global development in the deployment of flying taxis. Japan's ANA - All Nippon Airways - and California-based flying taxi company Joby Aviation have formed a partnership to bring electric, vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOLs) to Japan to serve as a network of ride-sharing, flying taxis for commuters.  Automaker Toyota is also a major partner in this endeavor and will focus on transport connections on the ground.  With the global stature of the members of this partnership, it has all the appearances of a game-changing deal for the deployment of flying taxis. The Japanese Market for Flying Taxis The Japanese market is fertile for flying taxis. ...

Joby Aviation's e-VTOL Being Tested by NASA                                                                      Source:  Joby and NASA NASA's Ultimate Goal:  Safely Accelerate Use of Air Taxis NASA has started testing a future air taxi for use to ferry passengers and cargo, particularly in big, congested cities.  The vehicle is a six rotor, all electric e-VTOL (electric, vertical take off and landing vehicle) developed by startup company Joby Aviation of California.  This particular aircraft is designed to be as quiet as possible in order to operate in busy cities and relieve traffic congestion without a lot of noise pollution. Joby plans to put its flying taxis into commercial operation in 2024.  NASA's ultimate goal in initiating its testing program is to sa...

Flying Car Ambulances                                            Source:  Urban Aeronautics Israel & USAF Developing Flying Car EMS Vehicles Israel and the US Air Force are separately developing flying cars to save lives.  Israel claims to have the first ever flying car ambulances in development.  Urban Aeronautics of Israel and Hatzolah Air of Queens, New York are partnering to develop a flying EMS ambulance vehicle.  It's called CityHawk and they expect to have it in operation within five years.  One of the most strategic applications for flying cars is to deploy first responders to accident scenes by flying them over traffic, gain access to difficult locations and get to the location more quickly to save lives. Plans for CityHawk CityHawk relies on hybrid propulsion and is designed for medical rescues particularly in urban area...

Joby Aviation's $590 Million Investor Infusion Source:  Joby Aviation VTOL Toyota Lead Investor There's a flying taxi readying for takeoff.  Joby Aviation, which develops electric flying taxis, has secured $590 million in investment money.  Toyota is the lead player at $394 million, followed by Intel Capital, Jet Blue VC and Toyota's AI Ventures.  Joby Aviation, headquartered in northern California, has developed a very impressive VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) vehicle. Electric VTOL Joby's flying taxi goes up to 200 mph, 150 miles + on a single charge, is 100-times more quiet than conventional aircraft and has zero carbon emissions.  The vehicle seats 4 passengers, vertically takes off like a helicopter and smoothly transitions to forward flight.  The $590 million is the biggest investment ever made in a flying taxi company. Big Players eVTOLs are the hottest category of flying cars.  Six urban air mobility vehicles are curr...