SkyDrive, the Japanese electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) developer, has made a significant announcement during this year’s Paris Air Show. The company has reached a basic agreement with renowned Japanese manufacturer Suzuki Motor Corporation to collaborate on producing SkyDrive’s innovative SKYDRIVE aircraft. This partnership comes alongside an unveiling of a redesigned eVTOL that can now accommodate more passengers.
Established in 2018 after four years of relentless efforts in prototyping and testing flying car concepts, SkyDrive gained recognition in the eVTOL community by successfully conducting a crewed test flight of its flagship aircraft in 2019. Since then, the company has been diligently advancing its technology with the aim of obtaining certification from various air traffic regulators, such as the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for future operations in the United States.
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Prior to the collaboration with Suzuki, SkyDrive seized the opportunity at the 2023 Paris Air Show to reveal the updated specifications of its eVTOL aircraft. It was confirmed that the vehicle would indeed be named the SKYDRIVE. Notably, the new design boasts increased dimensions, with additional length, width, and height. As a result, the eVTOL can now carry three individuals, consisting of two passengers and one pilot, compared to the previous design that accommodated only two.
Moreover, the enhanced eVTOL has a higher weight capacity, capable of hauling an additional 700 pounds, bringing the total weight limit to 3,100 pounds. It can also cover a distance of 5 to 10 kilometers further on a single charge. Equipped with a patented rotor design and featuring a revamped seating layout, SkyDrive plans to progress to the next phase of manufacturing with the assistance of Suzuki.
According to the recently announced basic agreement, SkyDrive will establish a wholly-owned subsidiary specifically dedicated to eVTOL manufacturing, in collaboration with Suzuki. The subsidiary will occupy a section of a Suzuki Group production facility located in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. In addition to providing the space, Suzuki will support the eVTOL manufacturing subsidiary in securing the necessary human resources. The specific terms and conditions of the agreement are currently being finalized.
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Expressing his excitement about the collaboration, SkyDrive CEO Tomohiro Fukuzawa highlighted the synergies between the two companies’ approaches to manufacturing. Suzuki’s philosophy of “Smaller, Fewer, Lighter, Shorter, and Neater” aligns with SkyDrive’s development of lightweight air mobility solutions. The partnership, which began in March 2022, enables SkyDrive to utilize Suzuki’s production facility to build their eVTOL, while benefiting from Suzuki’s valuable expertise as a global leader in automobile mass production. Fukuzawa emphasized that both companies will work closely together to achieve their shared goal of consistently manufacturing safe and high-quality aircraft for global deployment.
The aim is for SKYDRIVE eVTOLs to commence production at the Suzuki facility by the spring of 2024. SkyDrive Inc. has also outlined plans to obtain airworthiness certification for the Expo 2025 Osaka in Japan, ensuring compliance with the necessary standards for operating their individual aircraft. This collaboration signifies a significant step forward in the advancement of eVTOL technology and its potential integration into the transportation landscape.
