====== SkyDrive ======

Created Saturday 29 August 2020

See also: [[transportation:Aircraft]]

====== Articles ======

== Japan’s Entry in Flying-Car Race Takes to the Air ==

SkyDrive demonstrates battery-powered vehicle and aims for service start in 2023

By Peter Landers - Aug. 29, 2020 4:59 am ET

TOYOTA CITY, Japan—A startup has demonstrated a battery-powered flying car for the first time in Japan with hopes of starting service for the public in 2023.

SkyDrive Inc. still needs to improve its technology and overcome regulatory hurdles. By the 2030s, the company envisions everyday commuting with drone-like vehicles that could drive on city streets before taking off like a helicopter.

Competition is already growing in the field of vehicles sometimes known as air taxis, aeromobiles or electrically powered vertical-takeoff-and-landing vehicles. Japan is behind companies in the U.S., Germany and China in developing the technology.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/japans-entry-in-flying-car-race-takes-to-the-air-11598691548

== The Morning After: A Toyota-backed flying car completes piloted test-flight ==

And another one.

SkyDrive is yet another flying car startup, but one that has the backing of auto giant Toyota. That means we kinda have to pay attention. Fortunately, we did: SkyDrive finally achieved the first public crewed test flight for its flying car prototype, the SD-03. A pilot flew the vehicle around the Toyota Test Field in the city of Toyota, Japan.

The SD-03 itself is also interesting, billed as the smallest electric VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) vehicle in the world. Despite its size, it has eight rotors that help it fly safely even if there’s a motor failure, meaning even if not all of them work, you should be OK.

According to reports, SkyDrive hopes to grab approval for flights beyond the test field by the end of the year, and it expects a two-seat commercial machine by 2023. While it’ll miss the rescheduled Olympics, it does line up with Japan’s flying taxi service timeline, also known as The Future.

https://www.engadget.com/the-morning-after-toyota-flying-car-testflight-113025461.html