Air Taxis

A stunning new video from Joby Aviation gives us a sense of just how revolutionary these electric VTOL air taxis will be in urban settings compared to noisy helicopters. Founder JoeBen Bevirt doesn't even have to raise his voice as it takes off.

San Francisco's Aura Aerospace is working on a remarkably odd idea: replacing batteries in electric VTOL air taxis with high-powered "Powercell" ultracapacitors capable of massive power output and 10-minute charging, in long-range hybrid setups.

Meet the Maker. This is our first look at Archer Aviation's 12-rotor eVTOL air taxi, but it won't be the last. United Airlines has put in a provisional billion-dollar order for a fleet of 200 of these beasts, expecting a commercial launch in 2024.

eVTOL market leader Joby Aviation has announced its first revenue in a partnership with the US Air Force's Agility Prime program, as well as the path it's agreed on with the FAA for certifying its revolutionary tilt-rotor electric air taxi.

Gyrodynes have been around for a long time, but the electric aviation revolution might finally give them their day in the sun. Fast, efficient, well-understood and vastly safer than multirotor eVTOLs, they may have a head start in the air taxi race.

The UK's GKN Aerospace is looking into something much bigger than your average eVTOL air taxi: "park 'n' ride" Skybus transports carrying 30 to 50 passengers across congested parts of town, moving affordable public transport into the third dimension.

Hyundai is serious about its eVTOL air taxi division, and has partnered with the UK Government, the Coventry City Council and Urban Air Port to open a dedicated eVTOL facility – the "world's smallest airport," in England later this year.

Canada's Horizon Aircraft has popped up out of stealth mode with a gorgeous and innovative 5-seat hybrid eVTOL design using a wicked-cool split-wing mechanism to transition between VTOL and horizontal flight, and a totally unique path to market.

UK company Autonomous Flight has been working on eVTOL concepts for some years now, with several prototypes already flown. Now the company has revealed a six-seat air shuttle called the Y6S Plus that uses an interesting coaxial tricopter design.

Palo Alto's Archer Aviation may be fairly fresh out of the blocks in its tilt at the emerging eVTOL air taxi market, but it's assembling some heavy hitters in its corner with today's announcement that it's partnering with Fiat Chrysler Automotive.

China's air mobility company EHang has added another location to its autonomous air taxi roster with the launch of an aerial sightseeing trial in partnership with real estate company Greenland Hong Kong.

Switzerland's Manta Aircraft is working on a flexible hybrid-electric canard aircraft design that will be capable of VTOL or efficient STOL operations. A one-third scale model has been built, and the team is preparing for its first flight tests.