Flying taxis take flight in front of a US crowd for the first time as 2 companies race to take on passengers

"On a clear Saturday afternoon, Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation, two California-based companies focused on making electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles, or eVTOLs - pronounced ee-vee-tols - demonstrated their aircraft in front of a public crowd for the first time at the California International Airshow in Monterey County. The 10-minute demos came and went with nothing more than a pither. Only the sound of a slight hum and the crowd chatter could be heard during both flights."

""This is the future," an announcer said over the mic. "Try to listen to it. It will be a challenge." That's one of the main selling points for Joby and Archer. The companies are envisioning a ride-share-like service in dense urban regions - except they're relying on a zero-emissions, all-electric aircraft to transport passengers. Enter the flying taxis."

""It almost sounds like a whoosh," Didier Papadopoulos, Joby's president of aircraft OEM, told Business Insider at the airshow. "And that allows it to blend in with the cities and the noise." Public opinion is only part of the hurdle. EVTOLs are a capital-intensive and highly regulated space. Companies undergo numerous tests and, in the US, must obtain several certifications to demonstrate airworthiness to the Federal Aviation Administration."

Two California companies demonstrated electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft to the public in Monterey, showcasing extremely quiet 10-minute flights. The eVTOLs produced only a slight hum, highlighting noise reduction as a central selling point for urban operations. Both companies envision ride-share-style services using zero-emissions, all-electric aircraft to transport passengers in dense cities. Noise mitigation and safety are top priorities to gain public acceptance. The industry faces high capital costs and strict regulation, requiring numerous tests and FAA certifications. Joby aims to carry passengers by 2026, while Archer pursues partnerships and deployment plans.

Read at Business Insider