Founded in 2009, Joby Aviation is developing a piloted, five-seat eVTOL aircraft designed to travel up to 100 miles on a single charge at speeds up to 200 mph. Unlike traditional aerospace manufacturers that sell aircraft to operators, Joby plans to manufacture, own, and operate its fleet through an app-based aerial ridesharing service. The company has secured significant backing from partners like Toyota Motor Corporation, which assists with manufacturing scale-up, and acquired Uber's air taxi division, Uber Elevate, in 2020. In August 2025, Joby acquired Blade Air Mobility's passenger business, gaining immediate access to an established network of urban terminals and a loyal customer base in New York and Southern Europe. Joby is currently working through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification process, with initial commercial passenger operations targeted for 2026 in markets like Dubai. In the interim, the company generates early revenue through its BLADE passenger business and research contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense.
