SkyDrive Soars at Osaka-Kansai Expo with Public Flight of SKYDRIVE SD-05Test Flights and Development Journey Unveiled as Japan’s eVTOL Leader Takes to the Skies
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Toyota City, Japan — April 9, 2025
In a spectacular demonstration of Japan’s aerospace ambitions, SkyDrive Inc., the nation’s leading eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) aircraft manufacturer, showcased its highly anticipated SKYDRIVE SD-05 model during Media Day at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. The event marked a pivotal milestone in the company’s mission to transform urban mobility and inspire a future where airborne travel becomes an everyday reality.
Amid growing global interest in sustainable aviation, SkyDrive’s demonstration flight captured attention well beyond the Expo grounds. The SD-05 gracefully lifted off from the newly constructed EXPO Vertiport, hovering at approximately five meters for a smooth, controlled flight lasting around four minutes. Designed with safety and precision in mind, the aircraft — featuring advanced automated control systems — was remotely piloted, without a pilot onboard.
Pioneering Japan’s Skyroads
Selected in February 2023 as a flagship participant in the Expo’s “Smart Mobility EXPO” — part of the Future Society Showcase Project — SkyDrive has since accelerated its development program with the Expo flight as a central goal. Today’s demonstration serves as a prelude to the more ambitious point-to-point and circular flight paths planned for the summer of 2025, where SkyDrive’s aircraft will connect various hubs around the Expo site, showcasing the practical potential of eVTOL technology.
From Prototype to Sky-Ready Aircraft
Coinciding with the public flight, SkyDrive released never-before-seen footage from its proprietary testing facility in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture. The test flights, recorded between January and February 2025, feature the very prototype design that powered today’s airborne performance at the Expo.
Accompanying this footage, SkyDrive also premiered a special “Development Story” video, chronicling its journey from bold concept to airborne reality. Viewers are invited to witness the relentless dedication of the SkyDrive team, whose engineering spirit has propelled the company to the forefront of Japan’s aviation innovation.
Words from the CEO: Vision Beyond Drive
In remarks following the demonstration, Tomohiro Fukuzawa, CEO of SkyDrive Inc., reflected on the company’s rapid progress and future ambitions.
“Since our founding, we have pursued the vision of ‘Beyond Drive,’ striving to redefine personal and urban mobility. Today’s successful demonstration at the EXPO Vertiport marks a significant step towards that future,” Fukuzawa stated.
“I extend my deepest gratitude to our partners, shareholders, and dedicated team at SkyDrive, who have persevered through challenges to advance this revolutionary project.”
Fukuzawa emphasized the role eVTOL technology will play in building a sustainable, low-emission society. Thanks to its quiet operation and zero-emission propulsion, the SD-05 is well-suited to integrate into densely populated urban environments without disruption.
Looking Ahead: The Osaka Diamond Routes and Beyond
SkyDrive’s Expo debut is just the beginning. The company, in partnership with Osaka Metro Co., Ltd., is actively developing the ambitious Osaka Diamond Routes — a network of eVTOL corridors linking Shin-Osaka/Umeda, Morinomiya, Tennoji/Abeno, and the Osaka Bay Area. These air routes aim to redefine urban connectivity, complementing existing transport infrastructure while offering a sustainable alternative for city commuters.
Beyond Osaka, SkyDrive is engaging with cities across Japan to explore additional urban air mobility projects, ensuring that the momentum from today’s Expo flight continues to accelerate well into the future.
Aircraft Specifications: SKYDRIVE SD-05
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (L × W × H) | Approx. 11.5m × 11.3m × 3m |
| Seating Capacity | 3 (1 pilot + 2 passengers) |
| Power Supply | Battery electric |
| Propulsion | 12 motors and rotors |
| Materials | Composite, aluminum alloy |
| Max Takeoff Weight | 1,400kg |
| Cruise Speed | 100 km/h |
| Range | 15 km (future: 30–40 km with battery upgrades) |
About SkyDrive Inc.
Founded with a vision to lead the mobility revolution, SkyDrive began testing eVTOL concepts as early as 2014 and formally incorporated in 2018. In 2019, it conducted Japan’s first crewed eVTOL flight, and by 2024, commenced production at its Suzuki Motor Corporation partner facility. Now headquartered in Toyota City, SkyDrive is actively working toward commercial certification of its SD-05 model in both Japan and the United States.
For more information, visit: SkyDrive Official Website
Editor’s Note:
eVTOL: Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing — aircraft capable of taking off and landing vertically, powered by electric propulsion systems.
Future Society Showcase Project: Learn More
Japan’s First Public eVTOL Flight: Read Here
Would you like me to also prepare a press release version and a social media caption set for this? (Good for LinkedIn / Twitter / Instagram announcement alongside the article!)
