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SkyDrive, one of the companies selected under Japan’s “Future Society Showcase Project,” has been preparing for this milestone for over a year. The Expo is seen as a crucial proving ground for the company’s ambitions to commercialize urban air mobility.
In the demo, the SD-05 aircraft lifted off from the Expo’s designated Vertiport and remained airborne for about 4 minutes, reaching a hover altitude of around 5 meters. The flight was remotely operated, with no pilot on board, relying on the aircraft’s autonomous control systems to ensure a safe and stable flight.
In addition to today’s live flight, SkyDrive also released video footage of earlier test flights conducted at its headquarters in Toyota City. These clips showcased the first-generation SD-05 prototype, while the unit flown at the Expo represents a newer model built on that foundation.
Tomohiro Fukuzawa, CEO of SkyDrive, expressed his gratitude in a statement:
“It is a proud moment for our team to see the SD-05 take to the skies at the Expo site. I sincerely thank our partners, collaborators, and the SkyDrive team who have been pushing boundaries every day.”
Fukuzawa added that the Expo will give the public a first-hand glimpse into how eVTOLs could soon become part of daily urban life.
“We hope attendees will experience the future, where air taxis are a common mode of transport in our cities.”
Video: Public Flight of SKYDRIVE Model SD-05 during Media Day at Osaka Kansai Expo
Video: SkyDrive SD-05 model): Test Flights Footage in Toyota City