Joby Aviation’s 3,100-mile autonomous flight signals its push beyond electric air taxis

An aircraft equipped with Joby Aviation’s autonomy technology flew more than 3,100 miles across the United States without a human pilot taking control at any point, the company said Friday.

The flight not only demonstrated the capabilities of Joby’s autonomy tech, but also showed that the company’s ambitions extend well beyond its pursuit of electric air taxis. Joby said the autonomous aircraft it’s not done yet, and will make its way back to the West Coast with stops in various cities, including Louisville, Kentucky, and Salt Lake City, over the next two weeks.