Joby Aviation has received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to use its proprietary software tools for on-demand air taxi operations.
This approval allows Joby to deploy its ElevateOS system, a comprehensive suite comprising a mobile-first rider app, pilot tools, operations and schedule management software, and an intelligent matching engine.
See also: Joby Aviation Acquires Xwing’s Autonomy Division for Advancement in Electric Air Taxis
Eric Allison, Chief Product Officer at Joby and former head of Uber Elevate, expressed the groundbreaking nature of their air taxi service, stating, “The air taxi service we plan to deliver isn’t like any sort of air travel that’s existed before. We expect travelers to book on-demand and to be boarding an aircraft just minutes later, much like the experience of using ground-based ridesharing today.”
The development comes following Joby’s acquisition of Uber Elevate in 2021 and its subsequent efforts to refine and test the software tools.
See also: Joby Aviation Completes Pre-Production eVTOL Testing
The company’s electric aerial vehicle (EAV) is designed to carry a pilot and four passengers, capable of reaching speeds up to 200 mph. Joby aims to operate its EAVs in major metropolitan areas such as New York City and Los Angeles, in partnership with Delta Air Lines.
Although Joby’s EAVs are not yet cleared for passenger operations, the company plans to utilize conventional aircraft, carrying an equivalent number of passengers, to offer ride-hailing services until full approval is granted.
See also: Joby Aviation to Introduce eVTOL Air Taxi Service in UAE
Joby’s recent acquisition of Xwing’s autonomy division, a developer of autonomous flying technology since 2016, further positions the company for future piloted and autonomous operations.
