Photo: Joby
Close to getting the green light from the FAA (the Federal Aviation Administration) for its electric air taxi, the California-based Joby is also expanding its international presence. As soon as next year, this American-made eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) will be one of the first air taxis operating in the UAE.
Those who happened to visit this year's DRIFTx event in Abu Dhabi had the chance to take a closer look at the Joby aircraft. The eVTOL was on display for the time in Abu Dhabi, and this was the perfect setting. DRIFTx is one of the best events for showcasing smart, autonomous, and sustainable technologies related to transportation.
This is the kind of technology that the Emirates are betting on. The UAE is determined to become the regional leader when it comes to advanced means of transportation, including new-generation air taxis, and Joby was a perfect match.
At the prestigious event taking place in Yas Marina, Joby signed a memorandum that will pave the way for air taxi operations in Abu Dhabi. The main partners in this project are the DMT (the Department of Municipalities and Transport), DED (the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development), and DCT (the Department of Culture and Tourism).
The most exciting part goes beyond what is achievable in Abu Dhabi. Since this agreement comes after a similar project involving Dubai, Joby will have the unique opportunity to explore a new way of connecting these top tourist destinations.
At rush hour, it takes roughly two hours to get from Abu Dhabi to Dubai by car. With the Joby air taxi, it would take approximately 30 minutes. It's easy to see why the possibility of inter-emirate air taxi services looks very tempting.
In the meantime, the Californian company will focus on shorter flights in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Earlier this year, Joby confirmed it had obtained the exclusive right to operate air taxi services in Dubai, and that's not something to look forward to in the distant future. Joby air taxi flights are set to become available to Dubai locals and visitors as soon as next year.
The agreement with the local Road and Transport Authority (RTA) guarantees this exclusivity for six years, which is plenty of time for Joby to leave its mark on the entire region.
Thanks to the Joby air taxi, a trip from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Palm Jumeirah will only take ten minutes and will be emission-free. By comparison, it typically takes around 45 minutes to complete the same trip by car.
This piloted eVTOL was designed to carry four passengers (plus the pilot) with zero emissions and drastically reduced noise levels. Performance-wise, it promises a 100-mile (161 km) range and a top speed of 200 mph (321 kph).
This is the kind of technology that the Emirates are betting on. The UAE is determined to become the regional leader when it comes to advanced means of transportation, including new-generation air taxis, and Joby was a perfect match.
At the prestigious event taking place in Yas Marina, Joby signed a memorandum that will pave the way for air taxi operations in Abu Dhabi. The main partners in this project are the DMT (the Department of Municipalities and Transport), DED (the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development), and DCT (the Department of Culture and Tourism).
The most exciting part goes beyond what is achievable in Abu Dhabi. Since this agreement comes after a similar project involving Dubai, Joby will have the unique opportunity to explore a new way of connecting these top tourist destinations.
At rush hour, it takes roughly two hours to get from Abu Dhabi to Dubai by car. With the Joby air taxi, it would take approximately 30 minutes. It's easy to see why the possibility of inter-emirate air taxi services looks very tempting.
In the meantime, the Californian company will focus on shorter flights in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Earlier this year, Joby confirmed it had obtained the exclusive right to operate air taxi services in Dubai, and that's not something to look forward to in the distant future. Joby air taxi flights are set to become available to Dubai locals and visitors as soon as next year.
The agreement with the local Road and Transport Authority (RTA) guarantees this exclusivity for six years, which is plenty of time for Joby to leave its mark on the entire region.
Thanks to the Joby air taxi, a trip from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Palm Jumeirah will only take ten minutes and will be emission-free. By comparison, it typically takes around 45 minutes to complete the same trip by car.
This piloted eVTOL was designed to carry four passengers (plus the pilot) with zero emissions and drastically reduced noise levels. Performance-wise, it promises a 100-mile (161 km) range and a top speed of 200 mph (321 kph).
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