Dubai’s Museum of the Future, in collaboration with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), has unveiled a prototype of Joby Aviation’s aerial taxi. This trailblazing initiative showcases Dubai’s commitment to revolutionizing urban transportation.
Representing a significant leap in electric aviation technology, the Joby S4 aerial taxi is a zero-emission vehicle featuring advanced technologies that ensure enhanced safety, comfort, and speed.
Designed with vertical take-off and landing capabilities, the eco-friendly vehicle includes six rotors, four battery packs, and space to accommodate four passengers along with a pilot. With a speed of 322 km/h and a range of 161 km, it offers a quieter and more sustainable alternative to traditional helicopters.
Majed Al Mansoori, Executive Director of the Museum of the Future, highlighted, “The Museum of the Future has become home to the aerial taxi prototype, reflecting Dubai’s pioneering leadership in shaping the future of transportation. This initiative provides visitors with a glimpse into innovations designed to redefine mobility, making travel faster, safer, and more sustainable.”
Aligned with Dubai’s broader vision of establishing advancements beneficial to society, Al Mansoori emphasized the significance of the museum’s partnership with RTA to drive groundbreaking ideas and create a culture of innovation.
Taking Dubai’s Urban Mobility to New Heights
Initial routes will link major Dubai locations, including Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, and Palm Jumeirah. The aerial taxi is poised to significantly reduce travel times, with the 45-minute journey from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah reduced to just 12 minutes.
By enabling multimodal transportation, the aerial taxi service will offer a seamless travel experience, further improving overall urban connectivity.
The aerial taxi’s vertiport will support an annual capacity of 42,000 landings and approximately 170,000 passengers. It will also include advanced facilities to meet the highest global safety standards. The collaborative effort will involve key players with Joby Aviation managing vehicle operations and passenger logistics, and Skyports Infrastructure handling station design and construction.
Anthony El-Khoury, UAE General Manager of Joby Aviation, emphasized, “It is an honor to share our electric air taxi with the public through this exhibit, at a museum that is committed to advancing a more sustainable future for all. We plan to deliver an incredible experience for residents and visitors to Dubai, and we’re excited to invite people into the conversation about what the future of clean, quiet, and efficient air travel will look like when we launch our service.”
In line with Dubai’s goal of achieving 25% self-driving trips by 2030, the aerial taxi represents the Emirates’ broader vision of urban transportation network focused on sustainability, efficiency, and technological advancement. The service is expected to launch in the first quarter of 2026, marking an important milestone in the country’s future in urban mobility.