An electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft from Joby Aviation, Toyota’s air mobility partner, has taken its first flight in Japan. This success was built upon deep trust between the companies’ leaders.
Joby marks first flight in Japan
“That was awesome!” exclaimed JoeBen Bevirt, CEO of Joby Aviation, as he climbed out of the car. “Next time, we can do donuts in the sky!” replied a grinning Chairman Akio Toyoda. They stood for a photo to commemorate the moment, arms around each other’s shoulders.
On November 2, Toyota announced that an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL*) aircraft built by its air mobility partner Joby had made its first test flight in Japan.
The stage for this inaugural flight outside the United States was Toyota’s Higashi-Fuji Technical Center (Susono City, Shizuoka) at the foot of Mount Fuji.
*Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL): A form of air mobility designed to fly repeatedly over short distances, expected to be utilized by commuters, business travelers, and tourists in urban areas. Combining elements from helicopters, drones, and small aircraft, eVTOLs offer outstanding reliability, environmental performance (zero emissions), and quietness. Joby’s aircraft can carry a pilot and four passengers, with a top speed of around 320 km/h and a range of approximately 160 km.
Although poor weather prevented the planned demonstration flight from going ahead at the November 2 event, test flights were conducted as part of the preparations that began in late October.
Toyota’s collaboration with Joby dates back to 2019, although the two companies have been cultivating a cooperative relationship for nearly seven years.
Beyond merely investing in the company, Toyota provides support in production engineering and the Toyota Production System (TPS) while also supplying motor components developed for its hybrid technologies.
Speaking at the press conference on November 2, Joby CEO JoeBen Bevirt said he was “honored to partner with Toyota, a maker of quality vehicles that is trusted around the world, and very much looking forward to realizing our exciting dream together.”
For his part, Toyota Vice President Hiroki Nakajima outlined how the company’s vision for air mobility began with Sakichi Toyoda, who laid the foundations of the Toyota Group. “Toyota aims to support companies and people like CEO JoeBen who manifest their dreams and passion,” said Nakajima. “We would like to challenge the world together and do what no one has done before.”
It was a momentous day for both companies, made possible by the relationship of trust built up by CEO Bevirt and Chairman Toyoda.
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