TOKYO (ANN/JAPAN NEWS) – In a landmark achievement, a Toyota Motor Corporation startup has successfully completed the first domestic flight of its “flying car,” with aspirations to begin commercial operations as early as 2025. Toyota announced that this pioneering venture, conducted by its US-based startup Joby Aviation, Inc., is aimed at launching in regions like the Middle East, with plans to showcase the flying car at the upcoming Osaka-Kansai Expo.
The test flight took place in late October at the Toyota Technical Center Higashi-Fuji in Susono, Shizuoka Prefecture. The aircraft, approximately six meters in length and 12 meters in width, has the capacity to carry five people, including crew and passengers. During the flight at an altitude of 500 meters, noise levels were reported to be just 45 decibels—remarkably quieter than the average car or human conversation.
Toyota’s flying car has now set its sights on obtaining type certification for commercial operation from aviation authorities in the United States, Japan, Europe, and other regions.
Toyota’s venture into aerial mobility is rooted in history, dating back to 1943 when founder Kiichiro Toyoda crafted a prototype helicopter. Since then, Toyota has invested approximately USD900 million (around JPY130 billion) in Joby Aviation, supporting its development with a team of executives and engineers.
At the recent event marking the announcement, Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda held one of the propeller blades, remarking on the transformative potential of this technology: “With this innovation, traveling from central Tokyo to Higashi-Fuji will take just 25 minutes, a true revolution for daily commutes.”
The milestone flight signals Toyota’s commitment to transforming urban transport, aiming for a quieter, more efficient travel experience as it leads the shift toward the future of mobility.
