News

Joby Begins Construction Of Dubai’s First Vertiport For Air Taxis

Working alongside Skyports and the Dubai Road and Transport Authority, the company is targeting a 2025 launch date.

Published

1 day ago

November 13, 2024

Nour Nasir

joby begins construction of dubai's first vertiport for air taxis

Joby Aviation

Electric air taxi firm Joby Aviation has announced the start of construction on Dubai’s first vertiport, which is set to become part of a larger air taxi network across the city. The new hub, located at Dubai International Airport, is part of a collaborative project with the Dubai Road and Transport Authority (RTA) and Skyports.

The initial vertiport at DXB is one of four planned locations that will establish a network for air taxi services, which Joby aims to launch in Dubai as early as late 2025. The other three sites are anticipated to be sited in Palm Jumeirah, Downtown Dubai, and Dubai Marina, creating a cohesive transport network across the Emirate.

“Our air taxi service in Dubai will offer tourists and residents the opportunity to experience a revolutionary travel experience, with faster movement between key destinations and breathtaking views of the city skyline,” said JoeBen Bevirt, Founder and CEO of Joby.

He added, “With the start of construction on our air taxi network, our shared vision for electric air taxi service in Dubai is coming to life. I’m grateful to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and to the government of Dubai for their support and commitment to innovation”.

Also Read: Ericsson And e& Join Forces To Bring Superfast 5G To Egypt

The new vertiport will integrate seamlessly into Dubai’s extensive and increasingly high-tech transport system, providing easy access to the Dubai Metro’s Emirates Station 2, DXB Airport, and additional parking and ground transport options.

The 3,100-square-meter, three-story facility is designed to prioritize passenger convenience and efficient movement, setting a high standard for future air travel hubs. Equipped with two take-off and landing stands, each stand will feature Joby’s Global Electric Aviation Charging System (GEACS) to enable rapid charging and conditioning of the 200mph air taxis between flights.

Related Topics:Air Taxi Aviation Dubai Joby RTA

Up Next

Popcorn AI Raises $500,000 For “Conversational eCommerce”

Don't Miss

Google To Launch AI Hub In Saudi Arabia, Aiming For $71B GDP Boost

Click to comment

News

Popcorn AI Raises $500,000 For “Conversational eCommerce”

The firm’s AI platform uses specialized chatbots to handle entire eCommerce journeys, from recommending products to seamless payments.

Published

7 mins ago

November 14, 2024

Nour Nasir

Popcorn AI

Dubai-based Popcorn AI has announced the closure of a pre-seed funding round that raised $500,000 for its revolutionary AI platform. The investment, led by Spring Studios with the backing of Salica Investments, Al Waha Fund of Funds, and prominent angel investors from Saudi Arabia, represents a key step forward in reshaping customer-business interactions using the power of conversational AI.

Unlike traditional chatbot systems, Popcorn AI’s platform is designed to redefine eCommerce by creating highly intelligent sales agents that handle entire customer journeys, from personalized product recommendations right through to seamless payment acceptance — all through a conversational experience.

The clever idea was recently tested to great success when one of Popcorn AI’s chatbot agents closed a $400,000 real estate transaction, handling everything from the first inquiry to the final sale. Early adopters have reported a massive 90% reduction in customer acquisition costs, along with a highly impressive 20% improvement in conversion rates, highlighting the platform’s potential to transform customer engagement across dozens of industries.

Josh Rodger, Principal at the Spring Studios fund, expressed enthusiasm for the project, saying, “We are proud to support Popcorn AI’s mission to reshape how businesses connect with their customers. Their innovative approach to conversational commerce has the potential to revolutionize industries and redefine the way customers experience digital transactions”.

Also Read: Top Free AI Chatbots Available In The Middle East

Meanwhile, Popcorn AI founder and CEO Yousef Al Arif declared: “The future of commerce is conversational,” adding, “Today’s consumers want shopping experiences that are instant, personalized, and effortless. We’re not building just another chatbot; we’re crafting intelligent commerce agents that understand context, recall customer preferences, and guide users through the entire shopping process, much like an expert salesperson would”.

Building upon a decade of experience scaling eCommerce and marketplace platforms across the MENA region, Al Arif has now achieved huge success with Popcorn AI, positioning the product at the cutting edge of AI-powered eCommerce. The platform has also made significant impacts in sectors such as real estate, and hospitality, signaling that conversational commerce is emerging as a powerful new model for digital businesses.