the Japanese Toyota has invested $394 million in U.S. startup Joby Aviation, engaged in the development of air taxi. The investment will be used to Refine the prototype all-electric model that can take off and land vertically.
the Deal did Joby best-funded, company-developer of transport for the “city of aeromobility”, which at high congestion would be able to carry passengers within the city. Under $590-million round, firm, in addition to Toyota, has attracted funding from Intel Capital, Capricorn Investment Group, JetBlue Technology Ventures and SPARX Group, reports Bloomberg.
“Air transport was a long-term goal of Toyota. While we continue our work in the automotive business, the current agreement allows us stared at the sky, said Toyota President Akio Toyoda. – We intend to solve the problem of air along with Joby and develop the potential for transformations in the sphere of transport”.
One of the prototype “flying car” Joby looks like a drone-overgrown: it is equipped with six rotors, allowing it to rise into the air vertically like a helicopter and fly in the horizontal plane. The ship speeds up to 320 km/h, maximum flight range is about 240 km. Interior accommodates four passengers and the pilot.
One of the main goals of Joby and for the next few years to obtain a permit for commercial passenger transportation from the Federal office of civil aviation and other regulatory authorities worldwide. According to company estimates, it will take three to five years.
Text: To.Hi-tech