First look at Japan’s SKYDRIVE aircraft as company targets commercial flight in 2025
SkyDrive’s SD-05 Takes Flight at Expo 2025 Vertiport
SkyDrive Inc., a Japanese eVTOL (electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing) aircraft developer, successfully conducted a public demonstration flight of its SKYDRIVE SD-05 aircraft on April 9, 2025. The event took place during the Media Day at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Kansai.
The SKYDRIVE aircraft took off from the Expo’s on-site Vertiport, operated by ORIX Corporation. It reached an altitude of five meters and remained airborne for about four minutes. The flight was fully automated and remotely piloted, with no one on board.
This flight marks a key milestone for SkyDrive. In 2023, the company was selected as one of the official operators for the Smart Mobility EXPO, a major part of the Expo’s “Future Society Showcase Project.” The summer of 2025 will feature both point-to-point and circular eVTOL flights at the Expo.
Development and Testing Behind the Scenes
SkyDrive also released new footage from its test flights at a private development facility in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture. These tests used the same SD-05 prototype design as the one shown at the Expo.
In addition to flight tests, SkyDrive shared a new video showing the company’s development journey. Founded in 2018, the company has worked to bring its vision of airborne mobility to life.
CEO Tomohiro Fukuzawa said, “Since our founding, we have embraced the vision of ‘Beyond Drive,’ as we seek to lead the upcoming revolution in airborne mobility.” He also recalled a major early milestone: “In August 2020, we successfully conducted Japan’s first-ever public demonstration flight of an eVTOL, greatly increasing global awareness of our company and brand.”
Looking Toward the Future
SkyDrive is preparing for broader use of eVTOLs across Japan. Plans are in place for eVTOL routes known as the “Osaka Diamond Routes,” which will connect key locations in Osaka such as Shin-Osaka/Umeda, Morinomiya, Tennoji/Abeno, and the Osaka Bay Area.
The company also plans to gradually extend the range of the SD-05 from 15 kilometers to 30–40 kilometers as battery technology improves.
SkyDrive’s SD-05 aircraft seats three people—one pilot and two passengers. It uses 12 electric rotors for vertical lift and forward movement. The aircraft has a maximum takeoff weight of 1,400 kg and a cruising speed of 100 km/h.
Fukuzawa emphasized the environmental benefits of this technology. “eVTOL is a form of clean mobility that will help reduce CO2 emissions and support the evolution of a sustainable society,” he said. “eVTOLs also achieve reduced noise levels, allowing them to seamlessly integrate into urban environments.”
SkyDrive began producing the SD-05 in March 2024 at a Suzuki Motor Corporation plant. The company is now working with aviation authorities in both Japan and the U.S. to gain commercial certification.
As Fukuzawa explained, “Moving forward, we remain committed to the development of our aircraft and its associated business models as we work to revolutionize the future of urban air travel.”
For more information, visit: https://en.skydrive2020.com/
Read more:
Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
TWITTER:@spaldingbarker
Subscribe to DroneLife here.