With the backing of Google co-founder Larry Page, California-based startup Kitty Hawk already has some noteworthy names attached to its flying taxi endeavors. And it has now found another in heavyweight Boeing, with the industry veteran teaming up with its fresh-faced counterpart to accelerate the age of electric aviation.

Kitty Hawk first showed off its Cora aircraft last year, detailing a two-seater short hop electric plane that uses 12 propellors mounted on its wings to take off vertically, and then a single prop at the rear for horizontal flight. The company says the aircraft can cover around 62 miles (100 km) per charge of its battery and hit speeds of 110 mph (180 km/h).

The division behind Cora has now entered a strategic partnership with Boeing, with the two to work together on advancing "safe urban air mobility."

Boeing already has its fingers in a number of flying taxi-flavored pies, including its own in-house electric VTOL aircraft, a recent acquisition of electric aircraft company Aurora, and its US$2 million contest to build a personal flying machine.