Visitors Experience the Future of Urban Air Mobility with Life-Size Model and Boarding Opportunity
SkyDrive Inc., a leading Japanese eVTOL (electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing) aircraft manufacturer, has revealed a full-scale mockup of its SKYDRIVE SD-05 model to the public for the first time at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. The display is part of the Advanced Air Mobility Station, located in the Expo’s Empowering Zone, and offers visitors a unique chance to see and board the model, marking a significant step in public engagement with next-generation air mobility.
A Closer Look at the SKYDRIVE SD-05
The full-scale mockup is built to the actual dimensions of the production model: approximately 11.5 meters long, 11.3 meters wide, and 3 meters high, including rotors. The SKYDRIVE SD-05 is designed to carry three people—one pilot and two passengers—making it lighter and quieter than traditional helicopters. Its compact size and electric power make it well-suited for urban environments, with the ability to take off and land from rooftops and other limited spaces.
Inside, the cabin focuses on passenger comfort. Two rear seats allow passengers to sit side by side, and large panoramic windows provide a wide, immersive view of the surroundings. The design aims to make air travel not only practical but also enjoyable and memorable for everyday users.
Boarding Experience and Public Demonstrations
The Advanced Air Mobility Station at Expo 2025 is more than just a static display. Visitors with reservations can board the full-scale mockup, experiencing firsthand what future air mobility could feel like. Those without reservations are still welcome to view the aircraft up close. This interactive approach helps bridge the gap between concept and reality, giving the public a tangible sense of the possibilities eVTOL technology offers.
In addition to the mockup, SkyDrive has conducted a remotely piloted demonstration flight of the SD-05 at the Expo’s custom-built vertiport. The prototype flew at an altitude of around five meters for about four minutes, showcasing the aircraft’s capabilities to media and visitors. More demonstration flights and public events are planned throughout the Expo, further highlighting the role of eVTOLs in future urban transportation.
Design Vision and Industry Impact
Takumi Yamamoto, Design Director at SkyDrive, shared the vision behind the SD-05:
“Our eVTOL design embodies a vision for greater freedom of movement through easy, everyday access to the sky. eVTOLs will not only revolutionize transportation, they will also—by shortening travel within cities and redefining routes across landscapes—change the relationship between urban and natural environments, bringing people closer together. Through this design, we sought to achieve a strong balance between functionality and beauty, striving to create a form that will inspire the public to imagine the skies in years and decades to come. We hope this aircraft will create new possibilities and connections as we enter a new era of smooth and seamless everyday air travel.”
SkyDrive’s efforts are part of a broader movement to introduce advanced air mobility solutions in cities. The company began testing eVTOL prototypes in 2014 and was the first in Japan to fly a crewed eVTOL in 2019. Production of the SD-05 started in March 2024 at a Suzuki Motor Corporation facility, with certification efforts underway in both Japan and the United States.
About SkyDrive Inc.
SkyDrive aims to lead the mobility revolution by making urban air travel a regular part of city life. Headquartered in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture, and led by CEO Tomohiro Fukuzawa, the company is working with global partners and civil aviation authorities to bring safe, certified eVTOL aircraft to market.
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.
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