Japanese car and bike manufacturer Suzuki is to collaborate with aero tech start-up Skydrive to bring electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) machines to the market.
Established in 2018, Skydrive has previously advanced the development of flying cars and cargo drones while working with a number of partners to promote clean air mobility.
The Tokyo-based firm unveiled its first SD-03 eVTOL concept last year at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.
Now the eVTOL developer is teaming up with Suzuki to work on research and development, planning of manufacturing and mass production and development of overseas markets.
Skydrive’s concept has already undertaken a piloted test flight and an improved version, called the SD-05, is being developed with the aim of launching the vehicle as an air taxi for use at the World Expo 2025 in Osaka.
SkyDrive is the only company in Japan that has successfully conducted manned test flights of its eVTOL craft.
Suzuki is joining the likes of Hyundai by branching out into the eVTOL market. It marks another significant investment for the firm in future technologies, after recently announcing it will begin producing new electric cars in India.
READ MORE
Subscribe to the Move Electric newsletter
e-CARS
New Volkswagen ID Buzz: everything you need to know
How efficient are electric cars?
e-BIKES
Ducati expands e-bike range with first racing machine
e-MOTORBIKES
New Yamaha Neo is Europe-bound '50cc equivalent' electric moped
Electric Motion Epure Race e-motorbike review
e-SCOOTERS
Eskuta KS-450 e-scooter review
Taito unveils innovative new three-wheeled electric scooter
e-WORLD
Electric surfboard firm Awake aims to make waves with first e-foil
Volta Zero electric truck can 'dramatically improve' inner-city road safety