Flying Taxis in Tokyo: A 7-Minute Commute by 2026?

The sight of flying through the skies of major global cities, ignoring traffic congestion below, has long been a vision of the future that people have anticipated. It seems that such future projections are about to become a reality in Dubai, New York, and other cities. In the UK as well, the Department for Transport recently announced its "Future of Flight action plan," with the goal of starting operations for electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL), also known as "flying taxis," in London as early as two years from now.

There are suggestions that they will take the form of drones. Propelled by propellers, drones have evolved from unstable and accident-prone toys over the past 15 years into devices capable of delivering goods to remote areas and displaying aerial imagery. This has all been made possible by advancements in lithium-ion batteries, electric motors, and software.

Joby Aviation, headquartered in California, USA, is one of the companies utilizing new technologies to develop eVTOLs. Joby Aviation's eVTOL is equipped with six electric motors and swivelling propellers, enabling it to reach a top speed of approximately 320 km/h. It can travel about 160 km on a single charge and can accommodate four passengers. For the time being, it will be piloted by a human. Since it produces zero tailpipe emissions, it generates less carbon dioxide compared to conventional automobiles. Moreover, it can fly almost silently. Guy Norris, editor-in-chief of Aviation Week, a publication covering aviation, aerospace, and defense, inspected a prototype and commented, "You can hear it, but it's just a whisper."

China, which has established a global presence in the EV (electric vehicle) sector, is also leading the development of new technologies in the field of flying taxis. EHang, a Chinese drone manufacturer, received "Type Certification" from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) in 2023, a quality certification for its developed flying taxi. It has currently received orders for 100 units for tourism and regular round-trip routes in Hefei City, Anhui Province, and has also started developing unmanned control systems.

Vertical Aerospace is a pioneer in eVTOL development in the UK, with its headquarters in Bristol. The company has received a £37 million (approximately 7.4 billion yen) grant from the UK government to complete a five-seater eVTOL and has obtained design approval from the UK Civil Aviation Authority. It plans to begin test flights in London by 2026. "Vertiports" for take-off and landing are currently under selection. "There are companies exploring building rooftops as vertiports in London," said Will Nathan, a spokesperson for Vertical Aerospace.

In November 2023, Joby Aviation successfully conducted a test flight from Manhattan, New York, to John F. Kennedy International Airport. According to the company, the journey, which typically takes about an hour by taxi, was completed in just 7 minutes. They plan to launch their first commercial operations in 2025. They have also signed a six-year exclusive agreement with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai, with the aim of starting service in 2026.

"Flying taxis" are scheduled to be unveiled at the Osaka-Kansai World Expo in Japan in 2025. The World Expo may accelerate the practical application of "flying taxis" in Japan.

"Flying taxis" have the potential to revolutionize transportation by offering a groundbreaking mode of travel that enables quick, long-distance journeys and are likely to reshape the urban landscape. However, there are numerous challenges that need to be addressed, including safety and fares. The future development of "flying taxis" is something to watch closely.