SkyDrive presented the design of the SD-05 electric aerial car under development. The SD-05 is a two-seater zero emission flying vehicle designed for flights of up to ten kilometers.
In the world of aviation, the SD-05 is referred to as a Vertical Take Off and Landing aircraft, or VTOL for short, which can reach speeds of up to 100 km/hour.
The design presented is not final and is still subject to change. Two years ago, SkyDrive conducted a public manned test flight with its single-seat SD-03 predecessor.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36tDLW-mFiU
“This is another big step towards the realization of flying cars and sky roads,” said Takumi Yamamoto, SkyDrive design director. “Two years have passed since the announcement of the SD-03, which successfully completed its public manned flight test in August 2020, and we are very happy to be able to announce its successor, the SD-05.”
The SD-05 is a two-seat, electric-powered compact aircraft with vertical takeoff and landing capabilities. Operated by a driver-pilot, its flight stability is secured with the assistance of a computer-controlled flight system. SkyDrive is developing flying cars with an eye toward realizing a world where they are used in daily life for air mobility much as automobiles are used for daily ground transportation.
SkyDrive selected Electric Power Systems as a battery system development and production partner for the SD-05. Electric Power Systems has a battery system “currently used in demonstration kits”, it said in July.
Electric Power Systems is also working with the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to certify batteries for general aviation aircraft. The target is the first TSO (Technical Standard Order) in 2023.
For its part, SkyDrive is in talks with Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) for type approval for the SD-05. It will be the first of its kind in Japan.
SkyDrive is headquartered in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, and defines itself as a developer and manufacturer of flying cars and cargo drones. This month, the company opened its first office outside of Japan: In the US, SkyDrive is now also offering last-mile air transportation solutions.
