SkyDrive is a eVTOL company based in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan.[1][2]

History

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SkyDrive was founded in 2018. It was preceded by eventual acquirer Cartivator, which began on work on flying cars in 2012. Cartivator was initially financed in part by Toyota.[2][1]

The first test flight of the SD-02 came in August, 2020.[1]

In 2022 the company entered a partnership with Suzuki.[2]

Organization

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SkyDrive's CEO is Tomohiro Fukuzawa and the CTO is Nobuo Kishi.[2]

Vehicles

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SkyDrive has flown small single-seat multicopter concept vehicles.[2]

SD-02/3

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The SD-03 multicopter test vehicle stands on helicopter struts.[1]

SD-XX

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Its SD-XX concept model is a tandem two-seat design. It is a coaxial octocopter with a glass-covered cabin. Maximum takeoff weight is 500 kg (1,100 lb). Maximum altitude is 500 m (1,600 ft). Max speed is 100 km/h (62 mph). Flight time is 20 to 30 minutes.[2][1]

It has three wheels that enable driving on roads. Two are beneath the cabin, and a third trails behind. Maximum driving speed is 60 km/h (37 mph). Range is 20 to 30 km (12 to 19 mi).[2]

It is targeted at air taxi markets.[2]

Specifications

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Data from the manufacturer

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: two passengers
  • Length: 4.00 m (13 ft 1 in) excluding propeller ring
  • Width: 3.50 m (11 ft 6 in) including propellers
  • Height: 1.50 m (4 ft 11 in)
  • Empty weight: 475 kg (1,047 lb)
  • Gross weight: 500 kg (1,102 lb)
  • Powerplant: 18 × three-phase PM synchronous brushless DC electric motors

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 100 km/h (62 mph, 54 kn)
  • Service ceiling: 500 m (1,600 ft)

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "SkyDrive SD-03". evtol.news. Retrieved 2022-04-03.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Blain, Loz (2022-03-23). "Suzuki joins SkyDrive's push to build an eVTOL flying car by 2025". New Atlas. Retrieved 2022-04-03.
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