Cutting-edge flying taxis that can take off and land on the road like planes unveiled at US factory & they’ll go 200mph
FLYING taxis, which travel at speeds of 200mph, have been unveiled and will be built in a region with strong links to the aviation industry.
Joby Aviation Inc has partnered with the state of Ohio to begin testing taxis designed to transport passengers in the air.
2
2
The new air taxis will use air taxis as opposed to the traditional all-wheel drive configuration.
“When it comes to air taxis, this is the future,” Republican Gov. Mike DeWine told The Associated Press.
“We think this is very, very exciting – not only because of the direct and indirect jobs it will create, but like Intel, it is a signal to people that Ohio is looking to the future.”
“This is a big deal for us.”
In total, the project cost the company $500 million, with the state providing $325 million in incentives.
The hope is that a new factory at Dayton International Airport will create 2,000 jobs in various fields.
The new air taxis are electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOL), which are increasingly opening up a niche market as traffic density on the roads increases.
The taxis are designed to take off and land vertically, with the intention of taking people from rooftops and parking garages to their destination.
According to local NBC affiliate WLWT-TV, the plane will have a maximum range of 100 miles.
It is currently designed for the pilot and four passengers, with a top speed of 200 miles per hour.
More and more people want to see flying cars in the future, and it’s happening faster than expected – despite having to adhere to strict guidelines from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Joby Aviation will begin testing in Columbus, Ohio, the same city made famous by the Wright brothers for discovering flight.
The testing site at Dayton International Airport will cover 140 acres.
According to WLWT, it is the result of 20 years of government work.
“For a hundred years, the Dayton region has been a leader in aviation innovation,” said Republican Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted.
“But the acquisition of a major aircraft manufacturer has always escaped the local economy there. With this announcement, that ambition has been realized.”
The convenient location next to the Air Force base and Air Force Research Laboratory Center is a sign that Ohio is serious about making the future a reality now.
Construction of the production facility will begin next year, and production of the new air taxis is scheduled to begin in 2025.