Joby partners with Uber co-founder Travis Kalanick to build vertiports

On August 4, 2026, Joby Aviation announced that it is partnering with Atoms, a firm started by Uber co-founder Travis Kalanick, to develop a network of vertiports in the United States. 

Through this partnership both companies aim to have the necessary ground infrastructure ready to roll out advanced air mobility (AAM) operations across the country, the moment eVTOLs gain regulatory clearance. 

Joby Aviation is widely expected to become one of the first companies in the advanced air mobility space to launch commercial operations in the US. The Californian firm is a participant in the eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP), launched by the US government aimed at accelerating the development of the eVTOL industry. 

Florida, New York, Texas,and California will be given priority when it comes to searching for potential vertiport sites. 

Atoms, which was started by the famous Silicon Valley entrepreneur in 2021, focuses on the development of what it defines as “smart infrastructure” in a rather broad sense. It operates under brands such as CloudKitchens, which serves on-demand meals produced in a network of cloud kitchens; Lab37, which makes kitchen automation systems; and Pronto, a maker of autonomous mining vehicles. Atoms is known to have been looking at opportunities in transportation. 

“As air taxis move closer to early commercial service in the U.S., the right infrastructure becomes increasingly important, not just where aircraft land and charge, but how cities embrace this new form of transportation,” said Joby’s founder JoeBen Bevirt when announcing the deal. “Atoms has a vision of building ambitious infrastructure projects that combine technology, operations, and customer experience, making them a natural partner for Joby.”  

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