Dubai has set a new precedent in history with the success of performing the first regional testing flight of Joby Aerial Taxi that serves as a daring leap into the future of the urban air mobility. The participatory trial was done in a test location in the desert and was spearheaded by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) within the city landing region of Dubai and the U.S-based Joby Aviation, a renowned innovator of electric vertical take- off and landing (eVTOL) technology.
Dubai Crown Prince His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who witnessed the test, called the experiment a milestone to Dubai-ready transport ecosystem in the future. He stressed that this is in line with the economic and sustainable development vision of the emirate according to the Dubai economic agenda D33.
The Joby Aerial Taxi is a vertically oriented airborne taxi that has zero emissions, is electrical, and has vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL). It has six rotors and four battery packs with the potential to reach 320 kg/h and 160 km range. As it can accommodate four passengers and a pilot and be operated with much less noise more typical of the traditional helicopters, the latter is quite a decent solution that can be applied to the urban environment characterized by high traffic density.
It is estimated the commercial Aerial Taxi operations will start in 2026 with the inaugural station in proximity of Dubai International Airport. An average journey of the airport to Palm Jumeirah would only take 12 minutes as opposed to 45 minutes by road.
The state-of-the-art testing facilities have also been established together with Shamal Holding comprising of the vertiport, the hangar, and smart electric charging systems. These will aid in testing the performance of the aircraft and other future operations.
As Mattar Al Tayer, Director General of the RTA said, the project indicates the willingness of Dubai to fulfill its mission towards sustainable, fast and seamless mobility. As JoeBen Bevirt, the Joby CEO, commented, Dubai is the springboard to clean and quiet air transport taking the center stage.
