Toray carbon fiber materials will be used in the entire eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) aircraft structure, propulsion system and internal components, and it is expected to put it into commercial operation as early as 2023.
Toray Advanced Composites (US) announced on December 8 that it has signed a long-term supply agreement with Joby Aviation (Santa Cruz, California, U.S.) to provide unnamed air taxis to Joby. The unmanned helicopter eVTOL provides carbon fiber composite materials (see picture above).
According to Toray, since all aspects of the Joby electric aircraft require maximum range and speed to achieve its urban transport capacity, high-strength and lightweight materials are essential. Therefore, Toray's self-recommendation of its high-quality carbon fiber materials is a key part of achieving these goals. In addition, Joby chose Toray Advanced Composite Materials because of their proven history of meeting mechanical and safety requirements in aerospace and high-performance automotive applications.
Joe Ben Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby Aviation, said: "Toray's prepreg carbon fiber system provides unparalleled specific strength and toughness, which allows Joby to develop aircraft with unprecedented capabilities." "We are honored to be able to cooperate with Toray. The company cooperates to provide certification for our aircraft and looks forward to establishing a long-term partnership with them."
Joby will use the revolutionary all-electric eVTOL aircraft developed over the past ten years to provide affordable, quiet and tidy transportation services. Vehicles and services have a range of up to 150 miles and a top speed of 200 miles per hour, which may greatly change the lives of travelers. Carbon fiber materials will be used for the entire aircraft structure, propulsion system and internal components.
"We are very pleased to have reached this important supply agreement with Joby Aviation, a pioneer in eVTOL development," said Toshiyuki Kondo, CEO of Toray Advanced Composites. "When we were young, we dreamed of spending a small amount of time flying to the destination while driving. That is no longer an illusion. Electric air taxis are becoming a reality, and Toray is fully capable of meeting the needs of the industry today and in the future. It`s a very exciting time."
Joby Aviation added that it has spent more than a decade developing the aircraft and plans to put it into commercial operation as early as 2023. By combining years of development with a world-class team (now a leading carbon fiber composite material supplier), Joby is fully capable of realizing the promise of air sharing.