Photo: SkyDrive
One of the most impressive partnerships in the emerging AAM (Advanced Air Mobility) industry worldwide is bringing together two major technology and engineering forces, Japan and India.
Unlike similar companies worldwide, who look at India mainly as a huge market for air taxi operations, Japanese eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) manufacturer SkyDrive is also tapping into the country's engineering resources. Cyient, a tech company based in Hyderabad, India, is now officially SkyDrive's engineering partner. It's the Japanese eVTOL maker's first collaboration of its kind in India.
The partnership will extend from product development to manufacturing and digital services. Cyient will play a key role in creating the first eVTOL technical publication manual – a milestone for SkyDrive and for the entire AAM industry.
SkyDrive is serious about its expansion to the Indian market. Prior to announcing this engineering partnership, it signed another strategic agreement with a different kind of partner, the Government of Gujarat, widely considered "the most innovative state "in India. The Japanese aircraft manufacturer is planning to bring electric air taxi operations to Gujarat by 2027. In the meantime, it's laying the groundwork with the help of government officials and local partners.
The key to this expansive, strategic link between Japan and India for AAM operations is Suzuki Motor's established presence in the area. Since SkyDrive is the AAM company set up by the automotive giant, its expansion to India is only a part of Suzuki's overall, large-scale connection to this particular market.
Suzuki and SkyDrive stepped into the new year with an important milestone. The SD-05 (a 1/5 scale prototype of the SkyDrive air taxi) was displayed at the Gujarat Global Summit that took place from January 9 to 15. It marked the beginning of a new phase in Suzuki and SkyDrive's cooperation with India.
The SD-05 is the latest development of the famous SD-03 that was making waves a couple of years ago as the world's smallest eVTOL. The SD-03 was only four meters long, four meters wide, and two meters high (13.1 x 13.1 x 6.5 feet). When parked, it only took the space of two cars. This ultra-compact eVTOL put SkyDrive on the map. Still, it was far from the Japanese company's most ambitious goal.
The SD-XX promises to be a state-of-the-art flying car that will bring emission-free, affordable, and fast air mobility to the public. But that won't happen earlier than 2030. Until then, the SD-05 is the most powerful air taxi model developed by SykDrive.
The SD-05 keeps the qualities of a compact eVTOL, similar to the original SD-03, as it claims to be an efficient alternative to the larger and heavier air taxis on the market. It pairs a light takeoff weight of just 500 kg (1000 lbs) with a top speed of 100 kph (60 mph) and a 30-minute autonomy on a single charge.
The partnership will extend from product development to manufacturing and digital services. Cyient will play a key role in creating the first eVTOL technical publication manual – a milestone for SkyDrive and for the entire AAM industry.
SkyDrive is serious about its expansion to the Indian market. Prior to announcing this engineering partnership, it signed another strategic agreement with a different kind of partner, the Government of Gujarat, widely considered "the most innovative state "in India. The Japanese aircraft manufacturer is planning to bring electric air taxi operations to Gujarat by 2027. In the meantime, it's laying the groundwork with the help of government officials and local partners.
The key to this expansive, strategic link between Japan and India for AAM operations is Suzuki Motor's established presence in the area. Since SkyDrive is the AAM company set up by the automotive giant, its expansion to India is only a part of Suzuki's overall, large-scale connection to this particular market.
Suzuki and SkyDrive stepped into the new year with an important milestone. The SD-05 (a 1/5 scale prototype of the SkyDrive air taxi) was displayed at the Gujarat Global Summit that took place from January 9 to 15. It marked the beginning of a new phase in Suzuki and SkyDrive's cooperation with India.
The SD-05 is the latest development of the famous SD-03 that was making waves a couple of years ago as the world's smallest eVTOL. The SD-03 was only four meters long, four meters wide, and two meters high (13.1 x 13.1 x 6.5 feet). When parked, it only took the space of two cars. This ultra-compact eVTOL put SkyDrive on the map. Still, it was far from the Japanese company's most ambitious goal.
The SD-XX promises to be a state-of-the-art flying car that will bring emission-free, affordable, and fast air mobility to the public. But that won't happen earlier than 2030. Until then, the SD-05 is the most powerful air taxi model developed by SykDrive.
The SD-05 keeps the qualities of a compact eVTOL, similar to the original SD-03, as it claims to be an efficient alternative to the larger and heavier air taxis on the market. It pairs a light takeoff weight of just 500 kg (1000 lbs) with a top speed of 100 kph (60 mph) and a 30-minute autonomy on a single charge.
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