Joby Expands Partnership with SK Telecom

Joby Aviation, Inc., a company developing all-electric aircraft for commercial passenger service, has announced that SK Telecom, South Korea’s leading telecommunications company, is making an equity investment of $100 million in Joby, as part of an expanded partnership between the two companies.

The agreement, executed on 27 June, paves the way for Joby to participate alongside SKT in Korea’s “K-UAM Grand Challenge.” The Challenge is a phased demonstration program, led by the Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, which is designed to foster the adoption of aerial ridesharing in Korea.

Commenting on the news, JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO, Joby Aviation, said: “Our partnership with SKT places Joby in the best possible position to capitalize on the opportunity presented by the Korean market, where we continue to see a strong drive from the government to realize aerial ridesharing.

“We’re grateful for SKT’s commitment to Joby and look forward to working with them as we develop a transformational air taxi service for Korea.”

Joby and SKT first signed a strategic collaboration agreement in February 2022, which was expanded to include TMAP, South Korea’s largest mobility platform, in May 2022. Today’s investment is expected to lead to the development of further partnerships across the mobility ecosystem in Korea, led by SKT.

“We will do our utmost to promote the demonstration and commercialization of urban air mobility in Korea, based on our partnership with Joby Aviation,” added Ryu Young-sang, CEO of SKT. “This technology promises to greatly reduce customers’ travel time and we look forward to turning Korea into a mobility powerhouse.”

Joby Aviation, Inc. is a California-based transportation company developing an all-electric, vertical take-off and landing air taxi which it intends to operate as part of a fast, quiet, and convenient service in cities around the world.

SK Telecom has been leading the growth of the mobile industry since 1984. Now, it is taking customer experience to new heights by extending beyond connectivity. By placing AI at the core of its business, SK Telecom is rapidly transforming into an AI company. It is focusing on driving innovations in areas of telecommunications, media, AI, metaverse, cloud and connected intelligence to deliver greater value for both individuals and enterprises.