Joby Aviation and Metropolis Technologies Partner to Develop 25 Vertiport Sites Across the U.S., Pioneering Urban Air Mobility Hubs
Joby Aviation, Inc. (NYSE: JOBY), a leading developer of electric air taxis for commercial passenger service, today announced a strategic partnership with Metropolis Technologies, Inc., a leader in applied artificial intelligence for real-world operations. The collaboration aims to develop 25 vertiport sites across the United States by leveraging Metropolis’ extensive network of parking locations and its advanced AI-based recognition technology. These vertiports will serve as critical infrastructure for Joby’s electric air taxi service, connecting passengers seamlessly to existing urban transportation networks.
Strategic Context and Market Opportunity
The partnership comes at a pivotal moment for the urban air mobility (UAM) sector. As cities grapple with congestion, air taxis are positioned to provide a transformative solution for point-to-point travel within metropolitan areas. However, one of the key challenges for UAM adoption has been the integration of air taxis with existing ground transportation systems. Vertiports — small-scale urban takeoff and landing sites for eVTOL aircraft — are essential to this integration, enabling passengers to transition efficiently between air and ground travel.
Metropolis brings a wealth of operational experience and technological capability to the partnership. Following its $1.5 billion acquisition of SP+ and a $1.6 billion Series D financing round, Metropolis is now the largest parking network operator in North America, overseeing more than 4,200 parking locations and providing aviation services at over 350 sites. By incorporating these locations into the Joby network, the companies plan to accelerate the deployment of vertiports in high-demand urban corridors, targeting areas that represent early markets for electric air taxis.
Leveraging Existing Infrastructure for Seamless Connectivity
“For air taxis to deliver on their promise of seamless urban travel, they must connect directly with the existing ground transportation ecosystem,” said JoeBen Bevirt, CEO and founder of Joby Aviation. “By leveraging existing parking infrastructure to create mobility hubs, we can deliver on our vision of seamless connectivity for our customers and maximize the value of these sites without needing to build infrastructure from scratch.”
This approach represents a paradigm shift in urban mobility. Rather than constructing entirely new facilities, Joby and Metropolis will evaluate both new and existing locations for the integration of vertiports. The focus will be on sites that already have high accessibility, robust traffic management, and proximity to major transportation corridors, allowing passengers to transition easily between air taxis, ride-hailing services, public transit, and private vehicles.
Applied AI Enhances Operational Efficiency and Passenger Experience
Metropolis’ advanced AI capabilities will play a central role in the deployment of these vertiports. Using computer vision and recognition technologies, the company can manage complex operational workflows, from vehicle guidance and parking management to automated security screening and baggage handling. The integration of these systems with Joby’s air taxi operations is expected to enhance safety, streamline passenger processing, and improve overall efficiency.
“By combining our AI-driven technology with Joby’s electric air taxis, we are creating mobility hubs that are both highly functional and passenger-friendly,” said Alex Israel, CEO of Metropolis Technologies. “The real world is the next frontier for AI, and this partnership marks a critical first step in expanding the Metropolis platform into urban air mobility. We are extending the data and recognition capabilities we’ve developed in our parking and aviation operations into the air travel sector, delivering a seamless, personalized, and frictionless experience for travelers.”
High-Throughput Vertiport Design and Safety Considerations
The partnership will focus on deploying compact, high-throughput vertiports designed to meet strict safety and regulatory requirements. These vertiports will be engineered to accommodate multiple eVTOL aircraft simultaneously, allowing for rapid boarding and departure, while minimizing noise and other impacts on surrounding urban environments. By leveraging existing infrastructure and AI-enabled traffic management systems, Joby and Metropolis aim to achieve operational efficiency that rivals traditional transportation hubs.
In addition to operational efficiency, passenger convenience is a key consideration. The companies plan to incorporate baggage handling, check-in services, and other traveler support functions into the vertiport design. Metropolis’ Bags Inc. subsidiary will initially deploy its Bags VIP service in New York City, supporting Joby’s Blade Urban Air Mobility flights between Manhattan and JFK or Newark airports. This service will allow passengers to bypass typical airport congestion, save travel time, and enjoy a streamlined experience without worrying about luggage logistics.
Integration With Blade Urban Air Mobility
Blade, Joby’s existing urban air mobility service, provides rapid flights that can reduce typical airport commute times by up to two hours. The addition of Metropolis’ baggage handling and AI-powered recognition systems further enhances the passenger experience. By automating processes such as check-in, luggage transport, and passenger identification, the partnership ensures that users can move seamlessly from ground transportation to air travel.
This integration also allows for data-driven operational improvements. AI-enabled systems can monitor passenger flows, optimize scheduling, and predict demand, ensuring that vertiports operate efficiently even during peak travel periods. This data-centric approach aligns with Joby’s broader vision of an electric air taxi network that is scalable, reliable, and deeply connected to urban mobility ecosystems.
Modular and Flexible Deployment Strategy
A key advantage of the partnership is the flexibility in deploying vertiports. By evaluating both existing parking structures and new construction opportunities, Joby and Metropolis can select locations that maximize accessibility and minimize capital expenditure. Existing facilities offer immediate deployment opportunities, while purpose-built vertiports will allow for optimized airspace management, energy use, and passenger amenities.
The companies also envision modular vertiport designs that can adapt to different operational needs, including daytime commuter traffic, airport shuttle services, and special event transportation. This modularity ensures that the network can expand as demand for electric air taxis grows, while maintaining safety, reliability, and passenger comfort.
Economic and Environmental Impacts
By leveraging existing infrastructure and electric-powered eVTOL aircraft, the partnership also offers economic and environmental benefits. Reducing the need for new construction lowers capital costs and accelerates deployment timelines, while electric aircraft reduce emissions and noise compared to traditional helicopters or ground vehicles. This combination positions Joby and Metropolis to contribute meaningfully to sustainable urban mobility initiatives.
The Joby-Metropolis partnership represents a blueprint for future urban air mobility networks. By combining electric aircraft, AI-driven infrastructure, and strategic site selection, the companies are creating a scalable model for integrating air taxis into city transportation ecosystems. This model not only improves passenger experience but also demonstrates how technology and existing infrastructure can be leveraged to accelerate the adoption of next-generation transportation solutions.
Urban air mobility is not just about building aircraft; it’s about creating entire ecosystems that make air travel accessible, efficient, and seamless,” said JoeBen Bevirt. “Our partnership with Metropolis accelerates this vision, combining world-class AI and infrastructure with our eVTOL capabilities to redefine how people move around cities.
As Joby Aviation and Metropolis Technologies move forward, the development of 25 vertiport sites across the United States marks a significant step toward commercial deployment of electric air taxis. By integrating AI technology, existing infrastructure, and innovative operational strategies, the partnership creates a foundation for scalable, safe, and efficient urban air mobility.
Through this collaboration, passengers can expect a future where rapid point-to-point travel is accessible, convenient, and seamlessly integrated with ground transportation systems. For cities, the partnership offers a model for reducing congestion, improving transportation efficiency, and supporting sustainable mobility solutions. With these 25 vertiports as the first phase, Joby and Metropolis are laying the groundwork for a nationwide network that could transform urban transportation as we know it.
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