Suzuki Motor Corporation today announced that it has signed a basic agreement with SkyDrive Inc to manufacture “flying cars” at a Suzuki factory in Shizuoka, with the project expected to begin in spring next year. 2024. Suzuki does sell a motorcycle called the Suzuki Skydrive, but that product will have two wheels firmly on the ground.
The “flying car” in this case is an eVTOL vehicle, to be exact. eVTOL stands for Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing. This type of aircraft uses electrical energy to take off, hover and land vertically. eVTOL vehicles have a number of advantages, mainly due to their electric power system.
They can be quieter, more efficient, and produce less pollution than traditional airplanes. They are also capable of vertical take-off and landing, which makes them well-suited to operating in urban areas or other locations with limited space.
However, there are also significant challenges in eVTOL design and implementation, including battery life, safety, air traffic management, and regulatory issues.
SkyDrive is a Japanese company headquartered in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture. The SkyDrive eVTOL vehicle measures approximately 13m x 13m including propellers and will weigh approximately 1,400 kg. How many propellers does it have? A whopping 12 of them!
It can carry a total of 3 – 1 pilot and up to 2 passengers. The flight range is said to be 15 km and it can cruise at a maximum speed of 100 km/h.
