On Monday, Governor DeWine of Ohio was in Dayton for a big announcement: Ohio’s government is investing $500 million in Joby Aviation to develop and produce personal flying machines.
Ohio has always been at the forefront of aviation. The state is known as the birthplace of aviation, and Governor DeWine is hoping to continue that legacy with this investment.
Joby Aviation, the company receiving this grant, has been in the process of developing its eVTOL, vertical take-off and landing, vehicles for over a decade. Their design features six electric propellers mounted on swivels, allowing them to be rotated upright for vertical take-offs and landings. Once reaching cruising altitude, the propellers turn forward, allowing for conventional flight.
One of the main advantages of this design is that it can reach speeds of up to 200 miles per hour (321.87 km/h) which is much faster than its competitors. The faster speeds will allow for transportation over longer distances to be more convenient. Another important feature is that it can hold five people, four passengers, and one pilot. Joby also plans to make the vehicles into a taxi service where someone would call a ride in the app, walk to the nearest helipad, and be transported to their destination.
This investment will help people get around more efficiently and allow Joby Aviation to build more vehicles.
