Japanese eVTOL manufacturer SkyDrive is making waves in the aviation industry with its highly successful electric air taxi. The company recently secured a substantial number of orders from an advanced air mobility (AAM) company in Vietnam, following its confirmation of the first pre-orders in the United States.
2023 has been a significant year for SkyDrive, headquartered in Toyota City, Japan. The company made a significant stride earlier this year by announcing its entry into the US market. Now, just six months later, its newly-established US base in Beaufort, South Carolina, is thriving. The first US pre-order for SkyDrive’s air taxi came from Austin Aviation, a charter operator and subsidiary of Lowcountry Aviation Company (LCA).
Austin Aviation initiated the US market entry with a conservative five-unit pre-order. However, SkyDrive has no reason to worry about numbers as one of its previous contracts with a Vietnam-based operator was recently doubled. Last year, the Japanese manufacturer partnered with CT UAV JSC, signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the purchase of 100 electric air taxi units. The Vietnamese company has now increased its order to 200, which confirms the success and promising future of SkyDrive.
The collaboration between SkyDrive and CT UAV focuses on developing an advanced air mobility ecosystem in Vietnam. SkyDrive brings its aircraft and AAM expertise to the table, while the Vietnamese operator contributes high-tech components, particularly in the realm of AI integration.
To add to its list of achievements this year, SkyDrive received the prestigious International Forum (iF) Design Award for its SD-05 prototype. The award-winning SD-05, now officially known as SKYDRIVE, is a three-seat air taxi that boasts a unique rotor dome design.
SkyDrive initially made headlines with its SD-03, introduced in 2020 as the world’s smallest eVTOL, measuring just 4 x 4 x 2 meters (13 x 13 x 6.5 feet). This compact air taxi had a maximum take-off weight of 400 kg (880 lb) and could stay airborne for ten minutes, reaching a speed of 50 kph (30 mph).
However, the SD-03 was soon overshadowed in terms of popularity by the larger and more robust SD-05. This upgraded model has a take-off weight exceeding 500 kg (1000 lb) and can reach speeds of 100 kph (60 mph), with a flight duration of 30 minutes on a single charge. Despite being smaller than other eVTOL designs, the SD-05 offers a compact alternative to larger air taxis and their multiple seats.
While awaiting certification from the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) for the three-seat SKYDRIVE, the manufacturer is collaborating with infrastructure expert Volatus and South Carolina-based operators to develop a future infrastructure network.
SkyDrive’s success in securing a multitude of orders from Vietnam and the United States, paired with its recognition in the iF Design Award competition, highlights its position as a noteworthy player in the eVTOL industry. With its innovative aircraft and strong partnerships, SkyDrive is poised to make significant contributions to the future of advanced air mobility.
