Joby Aviation Partners with Metropolis to Revolutionize Urban Air Mobility

In a move that aligns with Joby’s vision of seamless urban travel, the partnership will leverage Metropolis’ extensive network of parking locations, which has been significantly expanded following its recent $1.5 billion acquisition of SP+ and a $1.6 billion Series D financing round. Metropolis now operates over 4,200 parking locations and provides services at more than 350 aviation sites across North America.

The chosen vertiport sites will cater to burgeoning electric air taxi markets and will incorporate Metropolis’ cutting-edge computer vision technology. Joby and Metropolis plan to evaluate both new and existing facilities for the integration of these critical transportation hubs.

JoeBen Bevirt, CEO and founder of Joby, articulated the importance of this partnership, stating, “For air taxis to deliver on their promise of seamless urban travel, they must connect directly with the existing ground transportation ecosystem. By leveraging existing parking infrastructure to create mobility hubs, we can deliver on our vision of seamless connectivity for our customers and also maximize the value of those sites without needing to build infrastructure from scratch.”

The partnership aims to utilize Metropolis' world-class technology, including biometrics and enhanced computer vision systems, to streamline the air taxi experience. This involves integrating Joby’s air taxi service directly into established ground transportation hubs and deploying compact, high-throughput vertiport designs that meet safety and regulatory standards.

Initially, Metropolis will introduce its Bags VIP service to Joby’s Blade Urban Air Mobility, which currently offers rapid flights between Manhattan and major airports such as JFK and Newark, cutting down travel times significantly. This service will enhance the customer experience by alleviating common baggage handling issues, thereby encouraging more passengers to utilize Blade’s air taxi services.

Metropolis’ existing operations in remote check-in, advanced luggage logistics, and guest services across over 350 airports position the company as a key player in enhancing the traveler experience.

Metropolis CEO Alex Israel highlighted the transformative potential of their collaboration, stating, “The real world is the next frontier for AI, and our partnership with Joby marks a critical first step in expanding the Metropolis platform into true mobility hubs to deliver remarkable value for Members and partners alike. This transformational partnership is the very definition of Applied AI in the physical world.”

Israel further emphasized that their aim is to create a seamless, personalized experience for users, which is at the core of what they term the "Recognition Economy." This future-oriented vision seeks to redefine how consumers interact with physical spaces through advanced AI capabilities.

Joby Aviation is dedicated to developing all-electric vertical take-off and landing air taxis, with plans to both operate its services globally and sell its aircraft to other operators. With its innovative approach, Joby is setting the stage for a new era in urban transportation.

Metropolis, on the other hand, is harnessing artificial intelligence to eliminate friction in everyday transactions, envisioning a world where real-world interactions are as seamless as online experiences. With its substantial growth trajectory, adding over a million Members each month, Metropolis is rapidly becoming a leader in the tech space.

As both companies embark on this strategic partnership, they are poised to redefine urban mobility, making air travel a viable alternative to traditional ground transportation methods.

The development of these vertiport sites could serve as a significant milestone in the evolution of urban air mobility, providing a glimpse into the future of transportation in metropolitan areas across the U.S.