The aerospace industry must be feeling the heat of competitions. In addition to “traditional” competitors, aerospace companies now have deal with automakers getting into the business of flying too. The latest to join the short range air superiority race is Japanese automaker, Toyota.
Toyota has partnered with Joby Aviation whom have been developing an eVTOL aircraft. Truth be told, eVTOL is nothing more than an electric-powered multi-rotor helicopter, which is not new in city shuttling.
The thing is, until now, that was reserve for the richie rich. But short range air transportation like the Toyota x Joby Aviation eVTOL aims to make it an everyday, on-demand transportation for everyday city dwellers.
As far as the vision of Toyota and Joby goes, the eVTOL can accommodate up to 4 passengers, takes off and lands vertically, and capable of aircraft-like forward flight. It will be outfitted with an electric propulsion that would have “near silent cruise.” Joby said its eVTOL will be 100 times quieter than conventional aircraft.
All told, Toyota and Joby’s aircraft should has a top speed of 200 miles an hour (322 km/h), and over 150 miles (241 kilometers) of range on a single charge. No words on what part Toyota will play in the development.
