A Florida federal jury has awarded Aerosonic about $116.8 million in its case against Joby Aero over alleged misappropriation of intellectual property tied to air data probes. The verdict, returned in Florida on 5 October, hands the probe maker a major win in a dispute linked to Joby Aviation’s eVTOL programme.
The case centred on claims that Joby misused Aerosonic’s trade secrets and design information while developing air data hardware for its aircraft. Aerosonic, a supplier of sensor and probe equipment used in aviation, brought the action after the parties’ commercial relationship deteriorated into a broader intellectual property fight.
The size of the award puts fresh financial pressure on Joby, which is developing an electric vertical take-off and landing air taxi intended for future commercial service. It also raises the stakes for suppliers and developers in advanced air mobility, where proprietary sensor and flight-data systems can become contested assets. Available reporting does not indicate whether Joby will seek post-trial relief or appeal the verdict.