During a recent test flight, the Joby Aviation electric test vehicle set an absolute record for autonomous flight on a single battery charge. The prototype flying taxi covered a distance of 150 miles (241 km).
According to one of the founders of Joby Aviation, the startup’s apparatus “made the impossible in the area of battery technology” and opened up the prospect for flights between San Francisco and Lake Tahoe, Houston and Austin or Los Angeles and San Diego. At the same time, the flights will take place without the emission of harmful substances into the atmosphere.
During its testing, the Joby Aviation device flew around the airfield 11 circles with a length of 22.5 km, or 14 miles each. The flight time was 1 hour 17 minutes. The main idea of the experiment was to determine the maximum flight range on a single battery charge.
The Joby Aviation Flying Taxi uses standard, though upgraded, lithium-ion batteries with a graphite anode and 811 NMC cathodes. As a result, the developers have achieved the optimal combination of battery capacity and non-stop flight range.
According to laboratory tests, batteries of this type are capable of withstanding up to 10 thousand recharge cycles without reducing the tactical and technical characteristics of the flight. Joby Aviation’s energy system is led by John Wagner, the former head of Tesla’s advanced battery systems division.
The first Joby Aviation taxis will carry up to 5 passengers with a pilot. The flying vehicle is lifted into the air by six propellers. Joby Aviation’s first commercial flying taxis are expected to be launched in 2024.
