, one of the most promising startups in the fast-growing field. The Japanese auto giant helped with the eVTOL maker’s new production facility. Justin Lang, Joby’s head of corporate strategy said Toyota helped reduce the footprint of its production facility by more than 100,000 square feet. “The result is a factory layout capable of producing the same volume of aircraft in a smaller area at higher speeds and lower cost,” he said.
Such relationships are necessary for providing the funding to advance eVTOL development. But the partnerships also work in other ways. The alliances help automakers safeguard themselves against uncertainty in several ways, including using eVOTL projects as a proving ground for high-performance battery cells that could underpin electric car technology.
“In aerospace, there’s a tendency to focus on the technology of the aircraft, and then stick seats in it,” said Michael Whittaker, Supernal’s chief commercial officer. “Cars are much more passenger-centric.”was able to experience the new, and as-of-yet unnamed aircraft, in an augmented reality display that Supernal set up at NBAA’s EBACE convention floor.
Supernal, a company in the Hyundai Motor Group, is showing its new EVTOL via augmented reality at air shows.McKinsey & Co. says the field may expand to 20 or so flying taxi businesses by 2030 before narrowing to a handful of global players. The auto-eVTOL collaboration will continue, says Sherman, motivated by self-interest. “The eVTOL vehicles could be a threat to future automobile sales,” he says, “and the car companies are now hedging for a far-out future.”