The latest take on transportation has taken its first flight in New York City, with eVTOL air taxis soon flying in the Big Apple after conducting its first demonstration of what it can bring to the city. Two companies took their place and showcased this in their demo flights over the weekend, with Joby Aviation and Volocopter showing off the capabilities of their new tech.
A new kind of transportation will take over New York City in the coming months or years, with its government in full support of this flying venture.
New York City eVTOL Takeover from Joby, Volocopter
A press conference last Sunday, November 12, successfully demonstrated two eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) vehicles, featuring Joby Aviation and Volocopter's developments.
According to Joby's press release, this event marked the first time that its eVTOL flew over NYC, and also its debut flight in an urban setting, as part of its demonstration for the city.
On the other hand, Joby was accompanied by another company, Volocopter, which also brought its Volocopter 2X for its maiden demo flight together with its crew.
What's Next for NYC's eVTOL Operations?
New York City Mayor Eric Adams hosted the event alongside the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) which presented this first public event demonstration of eVTOLs. It took place in NYC's Downtown Manhattan Heliport, which is also one of the two sites that will soon open for these electric air taxis' upcoming operations.
The other would be on East 34th Street, with both helipads featuring two services at once. It was said that this commercial air taxi service would soon bring the public from JFK to Manhattan in only seven minutes, where if taken by car, would take an hour.
A third heliport will also host these eVTOLs, alongside plans to venture towards the La Guardia airport.
eVTOL: Air Taxi Coming Soon?
The massive focus on air taxis has been a distinct conversation over the years, as many companies have developed this new mode of transportation, looking to take to the skies and beat heavy traffic. Joby Aviation, best known for being a dominant name in the industry, saw its FAA approval last year in May for its air taxi services, a feat that the company aims to bring to multiple US cities.
While not necessarily a helicopter or a car, eVTOLs have proven to be featuring both the capabilities of an on-land vehicle and aerial machines that can transport users via clean energy. Volocopter is among the first in developing eVTOL technologies in the country, first offering a two-seater drone that features 18 rotors to give it flight, taking off and landing on the spot.
The eVTOL industry has slowly cemented itself as a future of transportation that is currently unraveling what it has to offer soon for the world, with its propulsion capable of doing it on site. New York City will start hosting several eVTOL air taxi services from Joby Aviation and Volocopter, with the possibility of future expansion, as supported by the city's current mayor.
