Joby Aviation, a pioneer in the development of electric air taxis for commercial passenger service, has received authorization from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to utilize its proprietary software suite, ‘ElevateOS’. This innovative operating system is designed to support high-frequency, on-demand air taxi operations.
ElevateOS, set to be unveiled in a virtual presentation later today, encompasses a range of tools, including pilot applications, operations and schedule management software, a mobile-first rider app, and an intelligent matching engine. This engine, similar to those used by ride-hailing services, efficiently pairs passengers with available aircraft and landing infrastructure to ensure seamless journeys.
Joby plans to deploy ElevateOS not only for its own air taxi services but also as part of a comprehensive service package for select partners who purchase their aircraft. The presentation will also highlight Joby’s extensive preparations for the anticipated launch of commercial air taxi operations by 2025. These preparations include pilot training programs and simulations of the air taxi service using conventional aircraft with the same passenger capacity as Joby’s electric air taxis.
Leveraging a Part 135 Air Carrier Certificate granted by the FAA over two years ago, Joby has already tested key components of its operations with ElevateOS by:
Joby has been refining and testing these software tools internally since its acquisition of Uber Elevate, Uber’s air taxi division, in 2021. Notably, in 2019, Uber Elevate launched UberCopter, the world’s first on-demand, multi-modal air taxi service in New York City, which utilized traditional helicopters bookable through the Uber app.
“The air taxi service we plan to deliver isn’t like any sort of air travel that’s existed before. We expect travelers to book on-demand and to be boarding an aircraft just minutes later, much like the experience of using ground-based ridesharing today. That required us to totally rethink the software and the operations of these aircraft,” said Eric Allison, Chief Product Officer at Joby and former Head of Uber Elevate. “We’ve built ElevateOS from the ground up to enable high-tempo, on-demand flights that will deliver true time savings and seamless mobility to customers. “ElevateOS is the result of many years of iteration and real-life experience and we’re confident it is the most sophisticated, efficient, and flexible suite of air operations tools available today.”
Today’s presentation will also highlight various activities Joby is undertaking to prepare for operations, including:
Training Electric Air Taxi Pilots:
Joby has developed an aircraft-specific training course that qualifies commercial pilots to fly the Joby aircraft in approximately six weeks. This course includes immersive flight simulation training devices, developed in collaboration with CAE, a global leader in aviation training. Additionally, Joby has started offering private pilot training and ground school as part of its future pilot training academy.Building the Maintenance Workforce of the Future:
Joby received its Part 145 Maintenance Certificate earlier this year and is developing a comprehensive maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) strategy to ensure maximum aircraft utilization in markets worldwide. Joby also received a $1 million grant from the FAA to support the development of maintenance training programs.Implementing Rigorous Safety Systems:
Joby was the first electric air taxi company to have a Safety Management System accepted into the FAA’s Voluntary Program for Air Operations, supporting its Part 135 operations. Additionally, Joby was the first air taxi company to be awarded the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations Stage 1 Certification by the International Business Aviation Council, following a safety audit in 2023.“We are leading the industry in the certification and manufacturing of our electric air taxi as well as in our preparations for commercial service,” said Bonny Simi, President of Operations at Joby. “This is rigorous work that is required for any company to provide efficient and seamless air taxi operations, and many of these items have been years in the making.”
Joby’s electric air taxi is designed to transport a pilot and four passengers at speeds of up to 200 mph. It offers high-speed mobility with significantly less noise than helicopters and produces zero operating emissions. Joby plans to operate its aircraft in U.S. markets, including New York City and Los Angeles, in partnership with Delta Air Lines. Additionally, Joby has secured a six-year exclusive agreement to provide air taxi services in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The company will also collaborate with local operators in various international regions and support direct sales of its aircraft to business customers like Mukamalah, the aviation arm of Saudi Aramco, and potential government partners such as the U.S. Department of Defense.
The presentation can be viewed today via the Upcoming Events section of the Company’s investor website, with a replay available online for a limited time.
