Joby Aviation and UK vertiport developer Skyports Infrastructure are developing a Living Lab passenger terminal that will enable the two companies to test a variety of technologies and procedures that will help define how passengers experience vertical flight in the future.

“Our all-electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft is set to revolutionise the way we travel in and around cities. Joby riders will skip the traffic, flying directly to their destination at up to 200 mph,” says Eric Allison, head of product at Joby. “But to realise the vision of everyday flight, we need to deliver a seamless and more rapid experience on the ground. The Living Lab will allow us to rethink the terminal experience, keeping our customers front and centre throughout their entire journey."

Duncan Walker, CEO at Skyports, adds “We expect the Living Lab to be instrumental in our efforts to engage regulators, government officials and the public to demonstrate the benefits of electric vertical take-off and landing operations and promote acceptance of this new form of mobility. Our aim is to develop vertiport infrastructure that delivers a 'zero-wait' check-in experience for customers, and we're delighted to be working with Joby, one of the leading companies in this sector, to prepare for that future.”

The Living Lab was unveiled in advance of Joby's Field Trip event, during which the company will open its doors to a range of partners and investors to see behind the scenes of its pilot production facility, where the company's first production prototype is currently being built. Over the next 18 months, the Living Lab will be showcased at locations throughout the US, giving industry and the public the opportunity to experience the future of aviation.

Earlier this year, Skyports announced a UK government funded project to develop a vertiport at a London general aviation aerodrome and the company's European vertiport testbed will launch in November this year at the Pontoise - Cormeilles aerodrome, Paris, with an extensive programme of live flight operations.