Joby Aviation Completes Autonomous Flight Across the United States
Joby Aviation says a converted Cessna Caravan flew autonomously from California to North Carolina, a 3,199-mile trip it calls the first autonomous cross-country flight in the US.
According to Engadget, the company equipped the aircraft with its autonomy system, which handled taxiing, takeoff, cruising and landing without any control inputs from the safety pilot on board. The pilot remained on the aircraft as a monitor rather than an operator.
In addition to that onboard monitor, Joby supervised the flight remotely from its headquarters in California and from Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina. The company described the trip as the first-ever autonomous flight across the United States.
After finishing the eastbound leg, the aircraft is scheduled to travel back west, with stops planned in Raleigh, North Carolina, Salt Lake City and Portland, Oregon.
Joby is better known for its piloted, fully electric air taxis, which it began demonstrating in New York City in April and plans to offer to the public later this year. The autonomous program points to a different line of business: the company said its autonomous flight system can be integrated into existing aircraft and used for commercial freight, emergency response and defense logistics.
Editor's Summary
Joby Aviation said its autonomy system flew a converted Cessna Caravan 3,199 miles from California to North Carolina without control inputs from the onboard safety pilot, with remote supervision from its headquarters and Shaw Air Force Base. The aircraft is set to return west with stops in Raleigh, Salt Lake City and Portland. Beyond its planned electric air taxi service, Joby is positioning the autonomy technology for freight, emergency response and defense logistics uses on existing aircraft.