Transport in cities could change very soon due to electric flying taxis coming to the United Arab Emirates, specifically to Dubai, next year. Joby Aviation Inc. is developing these taxis that will work like Uber but in the air. This means that passengers will no longer go in a car, they will be inside a small electric plane that can fly up to 200 mph, making journeys that take about 45 minutes last only 10 minutes!
These taxis are designed to be fast, safe, and quiet. Every vehicle can carry up to 4 passengers and it takes off from special places called vertiports, located in strategic points of the city. This innovation is expected to change the way in which people move in Dubai, and it could open the door to a future where flying taxis are part of the urban transport. So, let’s find out more about Joby Aviation’s taxis.
How Joby Aviation’s flying taxis will work
Flying taxis from Joby Aviation will work in a similar way as any ride-hailing app:
- Passengers will use Uber or Joby’s app to request a ride.
- Each taxi can carry up to four passengers.
- It is not door-to-door service: taxis will take off and land at vertiports, and then a car will take passengers to their final destination.
- Dubai will have four vertiports, including one at Al Maktoum International Airport.
These taxis will allow passengers to avoid city traffic and travel way faster than in a car.
What makes these flying taxis special?
Joby Aviation’s taxis are so special because they have some interesting features such as:
- They are the size of an SUV and run on electric batteries.
- They have six propellers, which can be used in emergencies.
- They are very quiet, much quieter than a helicopter. According to JoeBen Bevirt, Joby’s CEO, the sound is like “wind in the trees,” instead of the usual helicopter “wop-wop.”
- They will typically fly between 1,500 and 3,000 feet with a range of about 100 miles.
- They need charging stations where there are frequent flights, though they can make multiple trips between charges.
Test pilot Peter Wilson said these taxis are easy and safer to fly, he even compared them to F-35 fighter jets he has flown. What’s more, the controllers are simple, which reduces the pilot’s job and keeps a safe flight.
The future of transport in the United Arab Emirates
Dubai will be the first city of the United Arab Emirates to launch this flying taxis service. However, the Joby Aviation believes other American cities could have these taxis soon. The CEO of Joby Aviation explained the demand is very high and that they are working to increase the production of the taxis, which translates into more frequent flights and a more reliable service.
Although this sounds exciting, some aviation experts from the U.S. warn that this could be difficult to implement in cities with a lot of traffic and buildings, like New York or Los Angeles, because of safety risks and high costs. They also note that flying taxis might not be economically viable without government subsidies. However, Dubai is already investing in the infrastructure needed for flying taxis to operate successfully.
Costs and travel experience
A ride in these flying taxis will cost roughly the same as an Uber Black, the most expensive Uber option. Passengers can expect a fast, safe, and quiet trip, avoiding road traffic and experiencing a modern, high-tech form of transportation.
Although there are still challenges with safety and cost, the technology is advanced, quiet, and safe, with easy-to-use controls for pilots. With four vertiports planned and the potential to expand to other cities, flying taxis could soon provide a fast, modern alternative to traditional city transportation. What do you think about this futuristic idea?