Air Mobility
1 compact Features of our compact design
- Size
- 11 m
- Weight
- 1.4 t
- Noise Level
- 65 dB
The SKYDRIVE (SkyDrive model SD-05) is an multicopter eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) aircraft. Its compact size, quiet flight operation and precise flight control systems allow it to access a wide range of take off and landing areas, including rooftops and various open spaces, facilitating convenient, flexible short-hop air travel.
Many rooftops have heliports marked with an “H” or an “R”, but in practice it is difficult for helicopters to use these facilities. One reason for this is helicopter noise. Helicopters produce a sound of 80 to 100 dB, a disturbing level of noise that restricts their operating environment. The heavy weight of helicopters also results in stringent building strength requirements when landing on rooftops. The safety of a helicopter is also dependent on a single main rotor. This lack of redundancy is a further cause of restrictions on rooftop heliport usage.
Multicopters require less space to landA rotary aircraft needs a landing area of at least 1.5 times the aircraft’s width. As the SKYDRIVE is more compact than a fixed wing eVTOL, it can operate more flexibly from smaller landing areas.
2 safety Redundant Systems
Electric Engine
The 12 electric rotors are independently controlled, providing a high degree of redundancy. In the unlikely event of a problem with one motor/rotor pair, the remaining motors can compensate instantly, ensuring continued stable flight.
A distributed propulsion system avoids a single point of failure, guaranteeing safety and reliability.
Flight Control
The SKYDRIVE’s flight control system operates on a “3+1” principle — in addition to triplex redundancy in the primary flight control system, a separate, completely independent backup system is also provided. Even if the entire primary system goes offline, instantly switching to the backup system ensures safe control of the aircraft. The multiple levels of redundant control deliver consistent flight safety and robustness in the face of any faults.
Battery
SKYDRIVE’s battery system is split into four quadrants to maintain redundant backup power supplies.These systems ensure that even if some of the aircraft’s batteries suffer problems, the other independent systems can continue to supply power, maintaining safe flight. By managing these multiple independent systems, we can deliver the stable and reliable power supply required for safe operation of the aircraft.
Simplicity is Safety
SkyDrive harnesses a multirotor design to keep its aircraft simple. Lowering both the number of total parts and the number of moving parts makes the aircraft easier to maintain while also reducing the risk of faults. Our design philosophy is best summed up as follows: better safety through reduced complexity.
3
technology
Featured
Technologies
- High precision control
- Intuitive pilot handling
- Quiet flight operations
- Reliable battery system
- Made-in-Japan quality
High precision control
12 independently-controlled motors keep our aircraft in stable flight.
Real time detection and compensation of the aircraft attitude ensures high levels of stability and reliability even in complex urban environments. The lack of a fixed wing surface makes multicopters more robust against crosswinds, a further factor in their takeoff and landing stability.
Intuitive pilot handling
The simple multirotor design, with its limited number of moving parts, achieves both stability and reliability. The simplicity of the aircraft also makes it easier to pilot. Intuitive handling with a single pilot control stick reduces pilot workload. The simple handling makes the process of training pilots quicker and easier, an important factor in business scalability.
Quiet flight operations
Electric power and optimized rotor design combine to create an aircraft that is far quieter than a conventional helicopter. When flying overhead at an altitude of 150 m, the sound produced at street level is only around 65 dB. As this is quieter than the noise produced by a regular car driving past a pedestrian, public acceptance of the aircraft is easier to achieve. SkyDrive is also involved in joint research together with JAXA to develop advanced noise reduction technology.
Reliable battery system
The SKYDRIVE, as a form of next-generation air mobility, is completely powered by electricity. We use advanced battery and energy management technology to achieve a stable power supply and efficient operations. With a world-leading energy density of 323Wh/kg, SkyDrive’s batteries achieve the highest possible flight performance without adding undue aircraft weight.
Made-in-Japan quality
SkyDrive has a financial and business partnership with Suzuki Motor Company, the world’s leading manufacturer of compact cars. A Suzuki Group factory, which has the capacity to produce up to 100 aircraft per year, is already in operation. SkyDrive is harnessing the expertise in mass production technology and quality control developed by Suzuki through its automotive production to deliver “Made-in-Japan” quality to our customers around the world.
Key SKYDRIVE Specifications
- Aircraft size (L×W×H)
- 12.1m×11.4m×3m(including rotors)
- Maximum number of occupants
- Three (One pilot and two passengers)
- Energy source
- Battery (electric power)
- Powerplant
- 12 main motors each attached to one rotor
- Principal structural material
- Composites (CFRP), aluminum alloys, other materials
- Maximum Takeoff Weight
- 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs.)
- Max. cruising speed
- 110km/h
- Flight range
- 15-40km (9-25 miles)