In Tokyo, the Japanese startup SkyDrive successfully tested its "flying car," reports Kazinform citing Kyodo. This event marked the first demonstration of such a device flying in the Japanese capital.
Companies such as Mitsubishi Estate and Kanematsu participated in the trials. The remotely piloted drone stayed in the air for about three and a half minutes and flew approximately 150 meters over Tokyo Bay.
The electric model SD-05, equipped with twelve rotors, is designed to carry three people and can cover a distance of 15 to 40 kilometers on a single charge.
The creators emphasize that its compact size and light weight allow the vehicle to land in places where traditional helicopters and other aircraft cannot utilize landing pads.
As part of the demonstration, a terminal for flight management and passenger services was also presented, which includes check-in, security screening, and automatic registration using facial recognition technology. Demonstration flights and terminal operations will continue until Saturday.
It is expected that such "flying cars" will help alleviate road congestion and improve the public transportation system. This vehicle was previously showcased at the World Expo in Osaka, and a commercial launch of the service is planned for 2028.
According to the company's head, Tomohiro Fukuzawa, the cost of a trip on such transport may be twice that of a taxi, or even lower. He noted that due to its high speed, which exceeds that of taxis by four to five times, this price difference would be justified by the time savings.
