SkyDrive (company)
SkyDrive is a eVTOL company based in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan.[1][2]
History
[edit]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
[edit]SkyDrive's CEO is Tomohiro Fukuzawa and the CTO is Nobuo Kishi.[2]
Vehicles
[edit]SkyDrive has flown small single-seat multicopter concept vehicles.[2]
SD-02/3
[edit]The SD-03 multicopter test vehicle stands on helicopter struts.[1]
SD-XX
[edit]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
[edit]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)