Suzuki Commences Production of Flying Cars
New Delhi: Suzuki Motor Corporation, in collaboration with Skydrive Inc., has begun manufacturing flying cars at a Suzuki-owned facility in Iwata City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. The plant can produce 100 electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) flying cars annually. These vehicles are fully electric, and autonomous and are also called Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) or Urban Air Mobility (UAM).
SkyDrive’s cargo drones, manufactured by the company, are already operational in Japan. The cooperation between Suzuki and SkyDrive began in June 2023 when they signed a manufacturing cooperation contract for the production of the SkyDrive (SD-05 type) through SkyDrive’s subsidiary Sky Works Inc.
What is eVTOL?
The eVTOL flying car is an electrically powered drone equipped with autonomous features such as an autopilot. The Skydrive e-VTOL is a compact, three-seat drone that operates similar to a helicopter, capable of vertical take-off and landing. The primary focus of the development of these commercial flying drones is on future “air taxi” services.
In recent years, demand for personal transportation has increased, leading to severe traffic congestion in urban areas. Air taxis could potentially revolutionize public transportation by providing efficient intercity mobility solutions bypassing ground traffic.
Other Players In The Flying Car Space
Many car manufacturers are also involved in the development of flying cars or air taxis. The PAL-V Liberty, the first commercial flying car, went on sale in 2017. Korean automaker Hyundai has also introduced an air taxi concept, which is expected to begin its inaugural passenger flight in 2028. Hyundai’s concept, based on the e-VTOL model, can accommodate up to five passengers. Another notable prototype is the Aircar, designed by Klein Vision, which is capable of seating two passengers and reaching wind speeds of approximately 190 km per hour.
Flying Cars In India
SkyDrive, headquartered in Toyota City, Japan, has been developing flying cars and cargo drones since 2018. While SkyDrive’s cargo drones are operational in some mountainous areas of Japan, the company initially developed a compact, two-seater electric flying car. The collaboration between Skydrive and Suzuki aims to commercialize the tested prototype, with plans to test the eVTOL in Gujarat by 2027. Additionally, SkyDrive has partnered with Cyient, an Indian company based in Hyderabad, for further technical support in India.
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