Twelve electric rotors whirring, a van-size aircraft lifted vertically into a bright sky and cruised smoothly over an artichoke field.
Advancements in batteries and other technologies required for the futuristic tilt-rotor craft are moving so fast that they could soon move beyond the novelty stage and into broader commercial use in a matter of years. Both companies are laying plans to operate at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Boeing and Airbus are developing their own versions. All are betting that quieter, greener and battery-powered aircraft can revolutionise the way people travel. Major US airlines including American, Delta, Southwest and United also are building relationships and planting seeds for deals with air taxi companies.
Joby CEO JoeBen Bevirt said that, as the numbers of air taxis grew, they would become more accessible to the masses. But the multibillion-dollar question remains: Now that they’ve been built, can they be turned into a viable business?“Urban air mobility is the big prize for these firms,” said Connor. “But it’s also the hardest to implement.”