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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.
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.
News
Samsung Smart Glasses Teased For January, Software Reveal Imminent
According to Korean sources, the new wearable will launch alongside the Galaxy S25, with the accompanying software platform unveiled this December.
Samsung appears poised to introduce its highly anticipated smart glasses in January 2025, alongside the launch of the Galaxy S25. According to sources in Korea, the company will first reveal the accompanying software platform later this month.
As per a report from Yonhap News, Samsung’s unveiling strategy for the smart glasses echoes its approach with the Galaxy Ring earlier this year. The January showcase won’t constitute a full product launch but will likely feature teaser visuals at the Galaxy S25 event. A more detailed rollout could follow in subsequent months.
Just in: Samsung is set to unveil a prototype of its augmented reality (AR) glasses, currently in development, during the Galaxy S25 Unpacked event early next year, likely in the form of videos or images.
Additionally, prior to revealing the prototype, Samsung plans to introduce…
— Jukanlosreve (@Jukanlosreve) December 3, 2024
The Galaxy Ring, for example, debuted in January via a short presentation during Samsung’s Unpacked event. The full product unveiling came later at MWC in February, and the final release followed in July. Samsung seems to be adopting a similar phased approach with its smart glasses, which are expected to hit the market in the third quarter of 2025.
A Collaborative Software Effort
Samsung’s partnership with Google has played a key role in developing the smart glasses’ software. This collaboration was first announced in February 2023, with the device set to run on an Android-based platform. In July, the companies reiterated their plans to deliver an extended reality (XR) platform by the end of the year. The software specifics for the XR device are expected to be unveiled before the end of December.
Reports suggest that the smart glasses will resemble Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses in functionality. They won’t include a display but will weigh approximately 50 grams, emphasizing a lightweight, user-friendly design.
Feature Set And Compatibility
The glasses are rumored to integrate Google’s Gemini technology, alongside features like gesture recognition and potential payment capabilities. Samsung aims to create a seamless user experience by integrating the glasses with its broader Galaxy ecosystem, starting with the Galaxy S25, slated for release on January 22.
Samsung Smart Glasses Teased For January, Software Reveal Imminent
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