
Joby Aviation is developing an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft
David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Flying taxis could finally arrive this year, thanks to the development of a new type of electric plane that’s much quieter than helicopters, and potentially greener too.
These electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) models aren’t just the new spin on helicopters. Rather than relying on a large set of rotor blades for lift, these vehicles use multiple smaller propellers, similar to remote-controlled drones. Propellers face up like helicopter rotors during vertical take-off or landing, but can also tilt…