Is Joby The Future of Commuting? – The Story and Engineering Behind Joby Aviation

Experience how Joby Aviation went from a Santa Cruz barn startup to pioneering the world’s first certified eVTOL air taxi. In this video, we delve into:
• The early years & NASA partnership: How JoeBen Bevirt and his team built motors, software, and batteries from scratch.
• The S4 breakthrough: First piloted hover to cruise transition, 4 passenger flights at 200 mph, and record low noise levels.
• Hydrogen horizons: Meet the Shy4 and its 523 mile hydrogen electric VTOL world record.
• Funding & partnerships: From Toyota and Intel to Uber, Delta, and Virgin Atlantic.
• Business model & forecasts: What $3/seat mile means, and why analysts see a $60 B market by 2040.
🔔 Subscribe for more on E-VTOL air mobility!
👍 Like if you’re excited about flying cars—and comment below: where would you take a 10 min air taxi hop?

Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction
00:36 – R&D & NASA Collaboration
01:17 – Concept Aircraft: The S2
01:53 – The S4: Design & First Transition
02:43 – Noise Performance
03:48 – Reverse Thrust & Advanced Flight Controls
05:09 – 1,000+ Flight Tests & NYC Demonstration
05:45 – Hydrogen Ambitions: The Shy4 Breaking Records
07:18 – Funding & Strategic Partners
07:46 – Business Model: Air Taxi Service & More Partners
08:33 – Scale‑Up: Production Facilities
09:14 – Market Outlook & $3/Seat‑Mile Economics
10:10 – Conclusion & What’s Next

[terrystrong]

From a retired helicopter and fixed wing pilot a great video that explains the principles of operation very well

[youdontknowwhoiam]

They are VERY LOUD even though they say it is not . I hear them testing near La Selva beach. Imagine the noise of thousands or hundreds of these all the time.

[sambeutelspacher]

Great video. I’m not convinced about the $3 a mile though

[himanshusoni]

What crash mitigation measures or passenger safety measures are on place?
Will cities have air lanes to avoid collision?
Will it have passenger ejection capability?
Factors such as motor failure, rogue pilot, sandstorms, battery explosion are a concern.
I bet life insurance and medical insurance premiums will factor in if anyone will be using this

[lineararquitectura]

I think this is it, as far as humanity´s race towards a flying car is concerned, at least for now

[terrystrong]

And yes I would love to come out to Santa Cruz and see it in person and maybe get a ride around the pattern
Who knows I might even drop my resume

[terrythomas]

Most of the information about JOBY or UAM focuses on how these technologies will be realized in the future, but unfortunately, there is little discussion about the more practical issues — such as when and how they will receive FAA type certification, or how the necessary operational systems will be built and approved by the FAA.

What should be discussed are the actual certification processes, such as how many Means of Compliance (MOC) applications JOBY and other UAM companies have submitted to the FAA, and how many have been completed. That is the proper conversation to have.

Simply showing JOBY in flight and suggesting that commercialization is just around the corner conveys misleading information. For example, even Boeing — a much larger company than JOBY — has experienced significant delays with FAA certification for the B777X, a modified version of the B777, despite having sold thousands of aircraft. The certification for the B777X has been delayed by more than five years, and Boeing has still not been able to deliver the aircraft to customers. It’s worth asking: why is that?

Furthermore, even if UAMs do receive certification, we could face a situation where the aircraft exist but cannot operate — like having cars but no roads to drive them on.

[abvmoose]

45 db at 500m alt vs 90 db at 'close range' is not a fair comparison but its more quiet for sure. It would be hreat with some more detailed comparisons.

[SkyOrbiter-vg]

Isn't Hydrogen explosive? What is the safety of this aircraft?

[muzzagreenway]

Can they still fly in windy conditions and if so do they handle the windy conditions well?

[timothyshiu]

When will it be available to public?
This has been talking for years. Just make some camera pod holders.

[liaportugal]

Shouldn’t the $1.2 million operating cost be explained more thoroughly?

[kingshark]

Nope, only one will be the best.

Horizon aircraft.... they are going to change the game.

[DraganPetrovic-rsyh]

there is no way that these flights will be economically feasible for the average person. just for the affluent. and won't be a large enough market to be a real business of scale... in my opinion.

[harrydestaffano]

What is wrong with using a helicopter? No need for 20 years expensive venture capital product development.