UPDATE: Eric Allison, the Chief Product Officer at Joby Aviation, is making significant strides in the electric flying taxi industry, following his tenure at Uber and Zee.Aero. Just recently, Joby conducted a groundbreaking public demonstration of its aircraft at the California International Airshow, marking a pivotal moment in the journey toward urban air mobility.
With a vision to merge the convenience of ride-hailing with the revolutionary concept of flying taxis, Allison is driving the push toward a future where aerial transport is a reality. After joining Joby in 2020 and transitioning from Uber’s Elevate division, he aims to deliver a seamless experience for passengers looking to avoid traffic in urban environments.
Earlier this month, Joby showcased its aircraft to an eager audience of 50,000 attendees at the airshow in Monterey County, California. This event is a clear signal that flying taxis are no longer a distant dream but rather an imminent development in transportation.
Allison’s journey in the eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) sector began in 2010 with Zee.Aero, a venture funded by Google cofounder Larry Page. After leading Zee.Aero and its evolution into Kitty Hawk, he transitioned to Uber, where he helped shape the vision of flying taxis within the ride-hailing giant. The industry is now at a tipping point, with Allison stating, “We’re no longer convincing people that this is possible.”
In 2020, Uber sold its Elevate arm to Joby Aviation along with a substantial $75 million investment, allowing Allison to combine his engineering expertise with a robust product-focused approach. His goal is clear: to create an Uber-like service using flying cars.
Allison envisions a scenario where a passenger in lower Manhattan can easily book a Joby flight via the Uber app, bypassing traffic and arriving stress-free at JFK Airport in just seven minutes.
Despite past skepticism about flying taxis, Allison argues that extensive groundwork has been laid. “We’ve been doing the hard work for a long time,” he asserts, referencing the successful airshow. The shift from skepticism to acceptance is now palpable as public interest surges.
Looking ahead, Allison’s mission is to see the first passenger fly in a Joby aircraft, but he is even more excited about reaching milestones like the 100,000th passenger. He emphasizes that this journey is about continuous innovation and pushing boundaries.
As the world watches, Joby Aviation is poised to lead the charge in transforming urban transport. With Allison at the helm, the dream of flying taxis is rapidly becoming a reality, promising to redefine how we navigate our cities.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as Joby Aviation seeks to revolutionize air travel for everyday commuters.
