Museum of the Future Showcases Dubai’s First Aerial Taxi Prototype
Dubai’s Museum of the Future, in collaboration with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), has unveiled a prototype of the Joby Aviation aerial taxi, highlighting the city’s vision for smart and sustainable mobility.
Displayed on the museum’s Tomorrow, Today floor, the aerial taxi is a key part of Dubai’s ambition to make 25% of its transportation self-driving by 2030 under the Dubai Self-Driving Strategy. The initiative reflects the emirate’s leadership in future mobility and its commitment to reducing carbon emissions through advanced electric aviation technologies.
Khaled Al Awadhi, Director of Transportation Systems at RTA’s Public Transport Agency, emphasized Dubai’s pioneering role in redefining urban transport. “We are honored to showcase the aerial taxi model at the Museum of the Future, a step toward making Dubai the first city in the world to launch aerial taxi services, set to begin in early 2026,” he stated.
The Joby S4 aerial taxi features vertical take-off and landing capabilities, ensuring efficient and environmentally friendly transport. It is equipped with six rotors, four battery packs, and can accommodate four passengers plus a pilot. With a range of 161 kilometers and a top speed of 322 km/h, the aerial taxi is designed to provide a quiet, fast, and safe alternative to traditional helicopters.
Majed Al Mansoori, Executive Director of the Museum of the Future, remarked, “The aerial taxi prototype at our museum reflects Dubai’s commitment to shaping the future of transportation. This initiative offers visitors insight into transformative innovations that will make travel safer, faster, and more sustainable.”
Initial routes for the aerial taxi service will connect major destinations, including Dubai International Airport, Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, and Palm Jumeirah. A trip from the airport to Palm Jumeirah, which currently takes 45 minutes by car, will be reduced to just 12 minutes.
To support the service, Dubai is developing a state-of-the-art vertiport capable of handling 42,000 landings annually and serving around 170,000 passengers. The facility will be operated in collaboration with leading international partners, ensuring world-class safety and service standards.
Joby Aviation will manage vehicle operations and passenger services, while Skyports Infrastructure will oversee the construction and operation of vertiports. The RTA will integrate the aerial taxi service with Dubai’s broader transport network, further enhancing multimodal connectivity in the city.
Anthony Khoury, UAE General Manager of Joby, highlighted the significance of the exhibit, stating, “We are honored to showcase our electric air taxi at a museum dedicated to a sustainable future. We look forward to offering a transformative travel experience in Dubai when we launch our service.”
The aerial taxi service is set to launch in the first quarter of 2026, marking a major milestone in Dubai’s journey toward a smarter and greener transportation ecosystem.
