TOYOTA, Japan, July 4, 2024 – SkyDrive Inc. (“SkyDrive”), a leading Japanese eVTOL aircraft (*1) manufacturer based in Japan, and Kyushu Railway Company (“JR Kyushu”) today announced that they have signed an agreement to conduct a feasibility study for eVTOL deployment in the Kyushu region of Japan.
JR Kyushu is expanding various businesses that enrich travel and lifestyles by leveraging its broad “integrated corporate strength” in railway station shopping malls, distribution, food services, tourism and leisure, business services, construction, and other areas in Kyushu.
SkyDrive and JR Kyushu believe that introducing the SKYDRIVE (*2) in Kyushu will further attract visitors to tourist destinations, contribute to regional development, and enable advanced and attractive urban development.
Under this partnership, SkyDrive and JR Kyushu agreed to conduct implementation studies including business plans and geographical analyses, with the aim of launching routes utilizing JR Kyushu’s railroad stations, commercial facilities, and other locations.
About SkyDrive Inc.
SkyDrive was formally established in July 2018 after testing flying car concepts and prototypes from 2014 with the mission of “taking the lead in the once-in-a-century mobility revolution.” Its vision is to create a future where everyone has access to eVTOLs as their daily transportation in Japan and across the world. The company succeeded in the first crewed eVTOL flight test in Japan in 2019 and its eVTOL “SKYDRIVE” is in the process of acquiring its Japan Civil Aviation Bureau certification. SkyDrive has been selected as a company to participate in the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) project at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. SkyDrive began production of “SKYDRIVE” in March 2024 at the plant owned by official production partner Suzuki Motor Company. SkyDrive is headquartered in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture. Tomohiro Fukuzawa is the CEO of the company.
For more information, please visit: https://en.skydrive2020.com/
About Kyushu Railway Company
“A corporate group that promotes the development of Kyushu, Japan and Asia based on safety and service”
Kyushu Railway Company was established as a corporate group with its core business of railways with a network throughout the Kyushu region. The Group has expanded its business domain by focusing on areas with high synergy with the railroad business, such as station buildings, hotels, condominiums, construction, shipping, distribution, and restaurant business. JR Kyushu will continue to contribute to the sustainable development of Kyushu by providing safe and secure mobility services as its core business, and through community development that takes advantage of the characteristics of the region.
For more information, please visit: https://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/english/
Editor’s Note:
(*1) “eVTOL” is an abbreviation for electric vertical takeoff and landing. eVTOL aircraft are characterized by electrification, a fully autonomous autopilot, and vertical takeoff and landing. It is also called Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) or Urban Air Mobility (UAM).
(*2) “SKYDRIVE” is a product name of SkyDrive Model SD-05. Model SD-05 is in the process of acquiring its Japan Civil Aviation Bureau certification.
Contact:
Eri Nakayama
Public Relations
SkyDrive Inc.
Email: info@skydrive.co.jp
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SkyDrive and JR Kyushu Sign Agreement to Commence Feasibility Study in Kyushu Region