Akihabara News (Tokyo) — SkyDrive conducted on Friday practical experiments over Osaka Bay aimed at providing data for eVTOL (flying car) development.
In the demonstration experiments, a SkyLift drone weighted down by luggage repeatedly lifted off to an altitude of about twenty meters and then flew about fifty meters offshore. The purpose was to collect data related to the impact of sea breezes and the rate of battery depletion.
The experiments were well covered by the local media, and perhaps the real objective of the experiments were heighten public awareness of the emerging eVTOL industry and to invite a higher degree of social acceptance.
Indeed, about two hundred local people gathered to watch the experiments, and they were handed questionnaires to gather their opinions.
SkyDrive’s efforts are also being promoted in connection with the 2025 World Expo in Osaka, which is shaping up to become a major showcase for eVTOL technology in Japan.
SkyDrive CEO Tomohiro Fukuzawa told the media, “Since many people from overseas will visit the Expo, we would like to proceed with development so that people can experience the possible changes in their future lives and in their means of transportation.”
In addition to SkyDrive, four of its partners–Obayashi Corporation, Kansai Electric Power Company, Kintetsu Group, and Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance–also participated in the experiments.
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