Akihabara News (Tokyo) \u2014 Japanese eVTOL-maker SkyDrive has unveiled its long-awaited design for the SD-05, a two-seater flying car expected to enter practical service by the time of the 2025 World Expo in Osaka.<\/p>\n
The design the firm has gone with is a wingless multicopter with twelve rotors, bearing resemblance to the VoloCity eVTOL of the German developer Volocopter, though with a somewhat more elegant form.<\/p>\n
The specs offered by the firm make clear that the SD-05 is designed for short flights within major cities rather than regional travel\u2013the listed operational flight time is only 5-10 minutes, and the maximum listed range is given as only 10 kilometers. Presumably these are the realistic targets expected for the inaugural 2025 version of the aircraft.<\/p>\n
The twelve motors will utilize a battery electric propulsion system, accounting for limited flight time and range. On the other hand, such a design is likely to offer a high standard of safety, even in the case of an engine failure.<\/p>\n
The maximum takeoff weight is estimated at 1,100 kilograms.<\/p>\n
The overall materials used in the aircraft are described as \u201ccomposite, aluminum alloy, etc.\u201d<\/p>\n
The firm also released the following short introductory video for the SD-05:<\/p>\n