Suzuki Motor Corporation and SkyDrive Inc. have joined forces to begin manufacturing flying cars at a Suzuki-owned factory in Iwata City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.
These flying cars, also known as eVTOLs, are electric and self-driving, with the goal of revolutionizing urban transportation. The agreement, which began in June 2023, involves the production of the SkyDrive (SD-05 type) model by SkyDrive’s subsidiary Sky Works Inc.
An eVTOL, or electric vertical take-off and landing flying car, is a tiny, three-seater drone that performs similarly to a helicopter. It is capable of vertical takeoff and landing and includes autonomous functionalities such as Autopilot. According to Autocar, these flying automobiles are intended to act as “Air Taxis” in the future, alleviating urban traffic congestion.
Given the severe traffic congestion in cities, there is an increasing need for alternate personal transportation solutions. Air taxis are a tempting alternative because they can potentially bypass gridlock and allow for more efficient interstate commuting.
