California-based eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) developer, Joby Aviation, has reached a significant milestone by completing the construction of its first aircraft off the pilot production line. This achievement brings the company one step closer to delivering the “first ever eVTOL to be delivered to a customer” next year. However, before that can happen, the aircraft must undergo flight testing, for which the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has already issued certification.
Joby Aviation is focused on the development of eVTOL aircraft, aiming to establish a fast, quiet, and emission-free passenger transportation service in cities worldwide. Located near Marina, California, Joby’s pilot production line is situated in the Bay Area, garnering attention since its inception in 2018 when it secured $100 million in funding. Notable investors in Joby include Intel, JetBlue, and Toyota, who led the Series C funding round in 2020, investing a staggering $394 million of the total $590 million raised.
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As part of Toyota’s investment, the automaker acquired a minority stake in Joby and pledged to contribute its expertise in manufacturing, quality control, and cost management to support eVTOL development and production. Strengthening their partnership, Toyota and Joby extended their collaboration in April with a supply agreement aimed at facilitating the scaling of genuine eVTOL production. The injection of funding and production insights from Toyota have proven fruitful as Joby’s pilot line is now operational, having recently unveiled its first production prototype of an eVTOL aircraft.
This prototype represents a significant step forward for Joby as it progresses toward delivering its initial commercial aircraft before achieving large-scale production. The precursor to the current prototype was Joby’s pre-production eVTOL, which has already covered an impressive distance of over 30,000 miles since its construction in 2019.
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On Sunday, California Governor Gavin Newsom visited Joby’s facilities to get a firsthand look at the progress made. The company will soon host a ceremony to celebrate the launch of pilot production, with over 1,000 guests, including Tetsuo “Ted” Ogawa, the President and CEO of Toyota Motor North America. Ogawa is also scheduled to join Joby’s board of directors on July 1, 2023. Joby’s founder and CEO, JoeBen Bevirt, expressed his gratitude for the team’s dedication and Toyota’s support, highlighting their crucial role in Joby’s leading position within this emerging sector.
The production prototype eVTOL has been meticulously designed and manufactured in accordance with the quality and management requirements set by the Federal Aviation Administration, ensuring readiness for commercial operations. Although commercial flights are yet to commence, the FAA has already certified Joby’s latest eVTOL for test flights.
The company plans to continue testing throughout 2023 before delivering the prototype to Edwards Air Force Base in California. This delivery is part of a contract with the Air Force, valued at up to $131 million, which includes additional demonstrations and use case testing.
Following the successful delivery to its first customer, Joby aims to obtain commercial flight certification, a crucial milestone that will pave the way for large-scale eVTOL production in California. The commencement of commercial passenger operations is projected for 2025, with Delta Airlines among the companies partnering with Joby.
During the launch ceremony, Joby has promised to disclose the “expected performance” specifications of its eVTOL aircraft. We eagerly anticipate this information and will provide updates if available. Furthermore, we hope that Joby will release test flight footage showcasing the capabilities of its production prototype once it takes to the skies.
