Air Taxis & Electric Aerial Ridesharing with Joby Aviation's Oliver Walker-Jones!
Oct 5, 2023
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Oliver Walker-Jones from Joby Aviation talks about the future of air taxis and electric aerial ridesharing. They discuss the concept of eVTOLs, weight capacity, flying speed, safety features, partnerships with Uber and Delta, pricing, pilot controls, and the hurdles to mass adoption. They also touch on Toyota's partnership, the founder of Joby Aviation, and the potential of the air taxi industry. Joby Aviation plans to launch their services in 2025.
Joby Aviation is developing electric air taxis called EVTOLs, which have a range of 100 miles and can fly at speeds of up to 200 mph.
Joby's EVTOLs are designed with safety as a priority, featuring redundant propulsion systems and battery packs.
The air taxi industry has immense growth potential, with projections of a trillion-dollar market and interest from major companies like Toyota, Boeing, and Embraer.
Joby's air taxis have the potential to revolutionize urban transportation by reducing travel times, offering a quieter and environmentally friendly mode of transport, and opening up possibilities in remote areas.
Deep dives
Introduction and Background
The episode features an interview with Oliver Walker Jones from Joby, a company developing electric air taxis called EVTOLs. The podcast highlights the potential of the emerging air taxi industry, which is estimated to be a multi-trillion dollar market. Joby's EVTOLs are designed to take off vertically, fly passengers to their destinations, and land quietly, thanks to their electric propulsion system. The episode discusses Joby's progress in developing their aircraft, with a target for commercial service launching in 2025.
Features and Advantages
The Joby aircraft is compared to a car in terms of size and passenger capacity, resembling an SUV with four passengers in the back and a pilot up front. The aircraft has a range of approximately 100 miles and a maximum speed of 200 miles per hour. The electric propulsion system allows for quieter flights, enabling the aircraft to land in urban areas without disturbing residents. The episode also highlights the aerospace industry's interest in this market, with companies like Toyota, Boeing, and Embraer investing in electric air taxi development.
Safety and Reliability
The episode emphasizes the safety features of Joby's aircraft, including redundancy in the propulsion system and battery packs. The use of electric power enables cost savings compared to traditional helicopters, which require more complex mechanical systems. The simplified design and use of electric propulsion make maintenance easier and reduce the chance of failure. The FAA's involvement ensures that the industry meets high safety standards, making air taxis a safe mode of transport.
Future Outlook and Expansion
The episode discusses the potential growth of the air taxi industry, with projections of a trillion-dollar market. Joby plans to start with existing infrastructure, utilizing helipads and regional airports. However, the vision extends to using parking structures, stadium rooftops, and other locations as landing pads. As technology and battery efficiency improve, aircraft range and payload capacity are expected to increase. The episode also mentions the possibility of using hydrogen as a future propulsion technology, which could further enhance range and capabilities.
Joby Aviation's Vision for the Future of Transportation
Joby Aviation is a leading company in the development of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, often referred to as air taxis. The company has been working on this technology for over 15 years and is now preparing to launch its commercial service in cities like New York and Los Angeles in 2025. Joby's aircraft are designed to be quiet, efficient, and environmentally friendly, with the goal of revolutionizing urban mobility. The company has partnered with major organizations like Toyota and Delta, and has received support from the US Department of Defense. Joby aims to provide convenient, on-demand air transportation that will help reduce traffic congestion and carbon emissions in densely populated areas.
The Technology and Safety of Joby's eVTOL Aircraft
Joby's eVTOL aircraft feature a distinctive design with six rotors and an electric propulsion system. The aircraft are powered by rechargeable batteries and can fly up to 100 miles on a single charge. The company is focused on ensuring the safety and reliability of its aircraft through rigorous testing and certification processes. Joby plans to have pilots on board initially and gradually transition to autonomous flight in the future. The company is also working on developing charging infrastructure that will allow for rapid recharging between flights. Overall, Joby's eVTOL aircraft are designed to be safe, efficient, and capable of revolutionizing personal transportation.
The Potential Benefits and Use Cases of Joby's Air Taxis
Joby's air taxis have the potential to transform urban transportation in several ways. The aircraft can significantly reduce travel times by flying directly to destinations without being affected by road congestion. This can provide a more convenient and time-efficient option for commuters. The electric propulsion system also makes the aircraft much quieter and environmentally friendly compared to traditional helicopters or airplanes. Joby's air taxis can also open up new possibilities for transportation in areas with geographical barriers or limited infrastructure, such as island hopping or remote medical evacuation. With partnerships and investments from major organizations, Joby is well-positioned to lead the way in the emerging air taxi industry.
The Future Outlook and Timeline for Joby's Commercial Service
Joby is determined to bring its air taxi service to market in a timely manner. The company plans to have its first pilot on board a full-scale aircraft this year and aims to start putting passengers on board in 2025. Joby's business model is based on operating the aircraft itself, initially in partnership with established airlines like Delta. The company is also exploring potential international markets such as Japan, South Korea, and the UK. As the technology continues to advance and gain public acceptance, Joby's air taxis have the potential to reshape urban transportation by offering a faster, more convenient, and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional modes of transport.
Air Taxis by 2025!? Yep! Electric Aerial Ridesharing is just around the corner. MotorTrend's Ed Loh & Jonny Lieberman chat with Joby Aviation's Marketing, Communications & Brand Leader, Oliver Walker-Jones, about the Joby Aircraft & Electric Aerial Ridesharing service coming in 2025!
1:19 - What is an Air Taxi, or eVTOL (Electric Vertical Take-off and Landing Aircraft)?
3:31 - How are eVTOLs different from Helicopters?
10:15 - Weight capacity - Pilot & four passengers up to 100 miles!
11:33 - Flying at up to 200 mph!
13:00 - Where will they take-off and land from?
15:46 - Electric Aerial Ridesharing services, through partnerships with Uber & Delta.
17:24 - Safety reassurances? Built-in redundancy.
21:33 - Partnered with Toyota.
26:50 - Who makes the batteries?
27:36 - About the company's founder, JoeBen Bevirt.
31:45 - Pricing? Roughly $5-7 per person, per mile.
34:47 - Time saver! Google Maps example.
39:33 - What about in-flight emergencies?
42:23 - Pilot controls - two joysticks.
44:33 - The NASA Puffin.
49:30 - Marchetti's Constant - 30-minute commute.
53:54 - Hurdles to mass adoption.
54:47 - Regulating the skies.
58:27 - 100 mile range. JFK Airport example.
01:00:10 - What about Autonomy or Remote Operation?
01:04:32 - Who are Joby's competitors?
01:09:18 - DOD application.
01:15:12 - Toyota's 100 year pursuit of electric powered flight!
01:19:27 - Announcing their arrival.
01:19:45 - Immediate road to launch.
01:22:08 - Planning to launch in 2025!
01:23:52 - Global markets.
01:25:06 - Island hopping & other use cases.
01:26:25 - Charging & charging Infrastructure.
01:29:30 - First on-board pilot flight scheduled for later this year.
01:31:16 - Is there an on-board parachute for the aircraft?
01:33:40 - Super Bowl moment?
01:36:01 - When can we get in one?
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