Last year, Japanese company SkyDrive revealed the design of their commercial model flying car – the SkyDrive SD-05. It is a two-seater electrically powered vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft operated by a driver pilot. The SD-05 is a compact flying vehicle that aims to join society in 2025, offering a versatile solution to urban traffic congestion, transportation challenges in less populated areas, and emergency medical needs.
The company announced that the SkyDrive SD-05 was honored with an iF Design Award in the Business Concept category. The iF Design Award is considered one of the world’s largest and most prestigious design awards. The award means the SD-05 eVTOL is now recognized as “The Most Accessible Flying Car.” Its unique and elegant design sets it apart from other eVTOL aircraft.
Looking at the aircraft body from the side, the S-shaped outline suggests a pair of propellers thrusting into the sky. Looking down on the aircraft from above, you can see the shape of a pearly-white swallow, a small but agile bird capable of soaring to great heights.
The aerodynamically state-of-the-art airframe design is based on studies of the aerodynamic shapes of birds and animals. It features both horizontal and vertical tails for stability in flight. At the upper corners of the airframe, 12 motor-propeller units are located for flight stability. These reflect flight control technology obtained through over 1,000 flight tests conducted during the development of the airframe.
“I’m thrilled that our eVTOL has been awarded the design award following our cargo drone “SkyLift.” I strongly believe that design can contribute significantly to the future of the sky we aspire to create. It’s inspiring and gratifying to receive such recognition, and I’m truly grateful. We’ll continue to work diligently as a team to realize our vision of a future where everyone has access to eVTOLs as their daily transportation,” said Takumi Yamamoto, Design Director at SkyDrive Inc.
SkyDrive SD-05 eVTOL aircraft is designed to travel up to 10 km and has an estimated maximum cruising speed of 100 km/h (62 mph). The company aims to develop eVTOL Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) aircraft to create safer, low-cost, low-noise, autonomous aircraft requiring less infrastructure.
In the future, this award-winning SD-05 eVTOL aircraft can be helpful for cargo air transport, and traditional public transport in rural and urban areas could be faster and more present.
