Image source: topwar.ru
What until recently seemed like fiction is becoming commonplace. Japanese startup SkyDrive has shown a demo video of the flight of the first unmanned "flying car" SD-05, Kyodo News agency reports.
The demonstration flight was organized jointly with Mitsubishi Estate and Kanematsu Corporation. The remote-controlled vehicle flew over Tokyo Bay for about three and a half minutes, covering about 150 meters.
The demo video shows a terminal where the operators of "flying cars" control takeoffs and landings, and passengers are checked in and screened for safety reasons.
In March 2024, it was reported that SkyDrive, together with Suzuki, began production of the SD-05 flying car. The car is designed to carry three passengers. The drone is equipped with 12 screw electric motors powered by a battery, and is capable of vertical takeoff and landing. The stated maximum speed of the SD-05 reaches 100 km/h. The flight range is up to 40 kilometers. The maximum take—off weight of the device is 1400 kg.
Image source: topwar.ru
In fact, the SD-05 is a small electric helicopter. Due to its compact size (11.5m x 11.3 m x 3 m) and light weight, it can land in many more places than conventional helicopters and other aircraft. It is expected that the "flying car" will go on sale this year after the certification is completed.
Earlier, a SkyDrive representative said that the SD-05 will be in demand in urban environments by special services and can be used as a taxi. The Japanese Ministry of Transport has already started developing a new roadmap specifically for flying cars. Japanese companies plan to produce about 100 cars per year. It has not yet been announced how much the SD-05 will cost.
