Joby Aviation’s single-engine Cessna Caravan completed the cross-country flight without a human pilot onboard. According to the company, the aircraft departed California on September 7 and covered 3,199 miles across the US without human pilot assistance.
The aircraft’s route was programmed autonomously, while the aviation system continuously monitored conditions and potential obstacles throughout the journey. The aircraft made several stops at different locations during the flight before successfully completing the test.
Joby Aviation founder and CEO JoeBen Bevirt described the cross-country journey as an early glimpse of a new era in aviation.
The company said autonomous flights could help connect remote communities with major population centers and enable faster responses to natural disasters and other emergencies.
Joby Aviation said the successful test represents an important step in the development of autonomous passenger aviation.