In a landmark event at Toyota’s Higashi-Fuji Technical Center, Toyota Motor Corporation and Joby Aviation showcased their shared ambition for a cleaner, traffic-free future in air mobility. This historic gathering brought together executives, Toyota Group Chairman Akio Toyoda, and Joby’s CEO and founder JoeBen Bevirt, alongside Joby’s electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi, an innovative leap towards realizing practical urban air travel.
Toyota’s long-standing vision for boundless mobility dates back to its founding. A century ago, Sakichi Toyoda, founder of the Toyota Group, famously offered a prize for a battery capable of powering a trans-Pacific flight, sparking a legacy of innovation that spans from early helicopter prototypes to collaborative aerospace advances. Akio Toyoda emphasized this enduring vision, stating, “This collaboration with Joby represents a natural progression of our dream to make mobility more accessible.”
The partnership has been seven years in the making, during which Toyota’s expertise in manufacturing and Joby’s pioneering spirit in sustainable aviation have converged. Joby’s eVTOL, designed for quiet, zero-emission flights in urban settings, performed its first international exhibition flight in Japan, marking a major milestone in air mobility. Joby CEO JoeBen Bevirt expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “We are honored to share Toyota’s vision for a cleaner future and thrilled to present a glimpse of that future here in Japan.”
The eVTOL market promises to transform urban transportation, offering swift, environmentally friendly alternatives for commuting and travel. This new air taxi model combines elements of helicopters, drones, and fixed-wing aircraft, built to serve high-frequency, short-distance routes.
Toyota and Joby’s collaboration signals a commitment to shaping the future of urban air mobility. As Hiroki Nakajima, Toyota’s Executive Vice President, noted, “Air mobility will redefine our perception of distance and time, enriching lives by bringing freedom and prosperity to all.”
