Toyota and Joby Successfully Complete First Air Taxi Flight in Japan

A few weeks after Toyota Motor Corporation’s latest $500 million investment in Joby Aviation—a commercial passenger electric air taxi developer—the companies successfully demonstrated the aircraft’s capabilities.

Toyota, Joby Complete First Air Taxi Flight

Joby’s electric air taxi, designed to address the problem of traffic congestion and carbon emissions, completed its first test flight in Japan on November 4, 2024, at Toyota’s Shizuoka Higashi-Fuji Technical Center.

In addition to the leading automaker’s top executives, the air taxi’s public flight demonstration was attended by various stakeholders and Japanese aviation officials. 

Greener Mobility Efforts

Able to carry a pilot and four passengers, Joby’s impressive electric air taxi is quiet, emission-free, and can travel at speeds of up to 200 mph. The ultimate goal is to create a way for faster commutes and general travel in cities and more rural areas. 

This isn’t the first green mobility option Joby has showcased; in July of this year, the company exhibited its hydrogen-powered air taxi which was designed for longer-distance regional flights. The aircraft flew for 500 miles—you can watch our video to learn more about it.

Joby, Toyota Collaboration 

The companies have already been collaborating for around seven years, with Toyota helping Joby with all things automotive technology and manufacturing expertise. The giant automaker’s engineers work closely with Joby’s team in California to make important air taxi components.

Toyota recently announced an additional $500 million investment in Joby, which brings its total investment in the company to $894 million. The latest funding will be used to help Joby with regulatory certification, and the commercial production of its aircraft.

Joby Air Taxi First Flight Success—Conclusion

Joby’s all-electric commercial passenger air taxis with vertical take-off and landing (eVTOLs) have been in the works since 2015, so the recent flight understandably gave the companies a great deal of satisfaction (and relief). 

Joby’s founder and CEO, JoeBen Bevirt, and Toyota’s VP and CTO, Hiroki Nakajima, stated that the successful air taxi flight demonstration offers a peek into a greener future, and is a huge step towards making clean air travel a reality.