The sight of flying above the skies of major cities, ignoring the traffic congestion below, is a vision of the future that people have long anticipated. Such a futuristic projection is about to become a reality in Dubai, New York, and other cities. The UK Department of Transport recently announced its "Future of Flight action plan," aiming to launch operations of electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL), or "flying taxis," in London as early as two years from now.

There are suggestions that it will take the form of a drone. Propelled by propellers, drones have evolved from unstable, often accident-prone toys over the past 15 years into devices capable of delivering goods to remote areas and displaying images in the air. All of this has been possible thanks to advancements in lithium-ion batteries, electric motors, and software.

Joby Aviation, headquartered in California, USA, is one of the companies developing eVTOLs using new technologies. Joby Aviation's eVTOL features six electric motors and steerable propellers, reaching a top speed of approximately 320 km/h. It can fly for about 160 km on a single charge and can carry four passengers. For the time being, a pilot will be in charge of operating the aircraft. Since it does not emit exhaust gases, it generates less carbon dioxide emissions compared to conventional cars. Moreover, it can fly silently in the sky. Guy Norris, editor of "Aviation Week," which covers the aviation, aerospace, and defense industries, inspected the prototype and commented, "You can hear it, but you can hardly hear it. It just makes a soft noise."

China, which is making its presence known globally in the field of electric vehicles (EVs), is also creating new technologies in the area of flying taxis. Ehang, a Chinese drone manufacturer, obtained "type certification" from the Civil Aviation Administration of China in 2023, recognizing the quality of the flying taxi it developed. Currently, they have received orders for 100 units, intended for tourism and regular routes between Anhui Province and Hefei City. They are also embarking on the development of unmanned control systems.

Vertical Aerospace is a pioneer in eVTOL in the UK, headquartered in Bristol. The company received a grant of £37 million (approximately ¥7.4 billion) from the UK government and aims to complete a five-seater eVTOL. They have received design approval from the UK Civil Aviation Authority. They plan to start test flights in London by 2026. The "vertiport," the landing site, is currently under selection. "There are companies in London exploring building rooftops as vertiports," said Will Nathan, a spokesperson for Vertical Aerospace.

In November 2023, Joby Aviation successfully conducted a test flight from John F. Kennedy International Airport in Manhattan, New York City. According to the company, they were able to reduce the usual taxi travel time of about one hour to seven minutes. They plan to launch their first commercial operation in 2025. They have also signed an exclusive six-year agreement with the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority, aiming to launch services in 2026.

In Japan, "flying taxis" are scheduled to be unveiled at the Osaka-Kansai World Expo in 2025. The expo could accelerate the practical implementation of "flying taxis" in Japan.

"Flying taxis" are a revolutionary mode of transportation that can travel long distances in a short period of time, and they have the potential to transform the appearance of cities in the future. However, there are numerous challenges to overcome, such as safety and fares. It remains to be seen how "flying taxis" will evolve in the future.