Toyota also supports the mass production of the flying taxi "eVTOL"

Flying taxis are attracting global attention as a technology that will change the way we travel in cities.Electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft eVTOL (eV-Toll)American startup Joby Aviation has announced plans to double its eVTOL production capacity in the US, with Toyota Motor Corp. also investing in the company to help expand production.

On the other hand, many people ask, "What is the difference between a flying taxi and a helicopter?" Let's take a look at how eVTOLs work, how they differ from helicopters, and their impact on urban mobility and society.

What is a flying taxi (eVTOL)?

Many of the aircraft known as flying taxis are eVTOL, or electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft. eVTOLs use electric motors to take off and land vertically without using a runway, then fly forward. Designed for short-distance travel in urban areas, they are positioned as a new form of air mobility that is less affected by traffic congestion.

Joby Aviation aims to commercialize eVTOLs as flying taxis. The company has announced plans to expand production capacity at its California manufacturing base from two to four aircraft per month by 2027. It is also investing in personnel and equipment to operate its production system 24 hours a day.

Differences in structure between eVTOL and helicopters

eVTOLs and helicopters have in common the ability to take off and land vertically, but there are significant differences in their power sources and structures.

Helicopters use a fuel-powered engine to spin a large main rotor, and a tail rotor to control the aircraft's attitude.
On the other hand, eVTOLs are generally powered by electric motors and have multiple small propellers distributed throughout the structure.The electrification of the vehicle means that no exhaust gases are generated and noise levels are easily reduced.For this reason, eVTOLDesigned for operation over urban areasIt is done.

A design concept specialized for urban mobility

The primary use of eVTOL is expected to be short-distance travel within cities and suburban areas. The purpose of flying taxi services is to transport people quickly while avoiding traffic congestion on the ground. Therefore, in addition to reducing noise, the development of efficient vertiports, or takeoff and landing sites, has become an important issue.
Helicopters have been used for a wide range of purposes, including emergency transport, disaster response, access to mountainous areas and remote islands, etc. eVTOLs will not replace all of these helicopter roles,As a new category of transportation specialized for urban transportationDevelopment is underway.

Why Toyota is involved

Toyota Motor Corporation has invested in Joby Aviation. Toyota plans to use the production technology and quality control know-how it has cultivated through automobile manufacturing to create a mass production system for eVTOL. To commercialize flying taxis, it is essential to ensure safety and have a system for stable production of large numbers of aircraft.
The collaboration between automakers and eVTOL manufacturers is an important step in growing air mobility from the experimental stage into an industry, and the concepts of production efficiency and quality are being incorporated into the aviation sector.

Related Movements and the Situation in Japan

Efforts are underway around the world with a view to commercializing eVTOL. Dedicated takeoff and landing sites are being constructed, and operational rules and safety standards are being considered. In Japan, too, demonstration experiments and system design are underway with the goal of commercializing eVTOL in the late 2020s.

My Feelings, Then and Now

• eVTOL is an electric motor-powered aircraft capable of vertical takeoff and landing, making it a flying taxi.
• Its power source and structure are different from helicopters, and it is designed for use in urban areas.
• Joby Aviation plans to expand production capacity from two to four aircraft per month
• With investment and technical support from Toyota Motor Corporation, the company is building a system for mass production and practical application.

eVTOLs, which are being developed as flying taxis, are entering the stage of not only technological development but also the establishment of production systems and regulations. While they are vertical take-off and landing aircraft like helicopters, their major features are that they reduce noise and exhaust gases and are specialized for urban transportation. When eVTOLs become the preferred means of urban transportation in the future, how will commuting to school, work, and work change? Imagine a future where air travel is commonplace, and use this as an opportunity to think about the relationship between technology and society.