Suzuki Motor Corporation has teamed up with SkyDrive Inc. to start the production of flying cars at a Suzuki-owned facility in Iwata City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. This plant has the capacity to manufacture 100 electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) flying cars each year. These vehicles are fully electric and autonomous, also referred to as Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) or Urban Air Mobility (UAM).
Global and Historical Context
SkyDrive's cargo drones are already operational in Japan, and the world's first commercial flying car went on sale in 2017. Plans are in place to test eVTOL flying cars in Gujarat, India, by 2027. Suzuki and SkyDrive agreed to a manufacturing partnership agreement in June 2023 so that SkyDrive's subsidiary, Sky Works Inc., could produce the SkyDrive (SD-05 type).
eVTOL Flying Cars Explained
An eVTOL flying car is an electrically powered drone with autonomous features like Autopilot. The SkyDrive e-VTOL is a compact, three-seater drone capable of vertical take-offs and landings. The focus of these commercial flying drones is primarily on "Air Taxi" services for the future aiming to provide a solution for intercity commuting by bypassing traffic congestion.
Involvement of Car Manufacturers
Several car manufacturers are involved in the development of flying cars or air taxis. The PAL-V Liberty, the first commercial flying car, went on sale for £425,000 (approximately Rs 3.52 crore) in 2017. Hyundai, a Korean carmaker, also has an air taxi concept scheduled for its first passenger flight in 2028. Hyundai's e-VTOL concept can seat up to five passengers. Another prototype is the Aircar by Klein Vision, capable of reaching air speeds of around 190kph and altitudes of over 8,000ft, powered by a 300hp, 1.6-litre BMW engine with a 1,000km range.
Flying Cars in India
SkyDrive, headquartered in Toyota City, Japan, has been developing flying cars and cargo drones since 2018. With a focus on electrification, mass-production technology, weight reduction, and business growth in markets like India SkyDrive and Suzuki intend to commercialize their compact two-seater electric flying car. At the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024, SkyDrive announced an agreement with the Department of Science and Technology (DST) to test an eVTOL in Gujarat by 2027 and explore business opportunities. Additionally, SkyDrive signed an MoU with Cyient, an Indian company based in Hyderabad, for technological support with the SkyDrive eVTOL's development in India.