"Flying Car" Test flight with manned first public release Aichi Toyota August 28, 17:54

k10012588871_202008281722_202008281739.mp4

For the first time, a venture company in Tokyo, which develops a "flying car" that can move in the sky like a drone, was released to the press about a manned flight test conducted in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture.

Tokyo-based venture company "SkyDrive", which was founded by Toyota Motors and others, has been conducting a test flight with a manned "flying car" in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture since December last year.

This time, the state of the experiment was released to the press for the first time, and the pilot boarded an aircraft with a total length of about 4 meters and a height of about 2 meters developed by this company.

Then, when I moved the control rod, the eight propellers attached to the four corners of the aircraft spun and floated about 2 meters, making a circuit around the test space at a speed of 4 km/h.

It is said that this company is the first in Japan to succeed in the manned flight test according to the company, because the "flying car" is being developed in the world because it will solve traffic congestion and improve the efficiency of logistics services. Is that.

The company plans to start taxi services in Osaka and other places from FY 2023, and aims to put autonomous flying cars into practical use from FY 2028.

Tomohiro Fukuzawa, CEO of “SkyDrive,” said, “I think when you see a flight, you will feel how life will change and how mobility will change. Together, flying cars will become commonplace. I want to create a world like that."

In a fierce development competition

Although flying cars are not yet commercialized, American securities companies expect to grow into an industry with a market size of over 150 trillion yen around the world by 2040.

With the expectation that it will play a part in the next-generation transportation system, companies in Japan and overseas are starting to develop aircraft and flight systems one after another.

In Japan, in addition to the "SkyDrive" this time, Toyota Motor Co., Ltd. has invested in the venture company "Jobby Aviation", which develops flying taxis in the United States, and cooperates in the technology for mass production of aircraft.

Kawasaki Heavy Industries, NEC, ANA Holdings and Japan Airlines are also developing aircraft and flight systems.

Overseas, the U.S. ride giant, U.S.A., has launched a plan to operate a flying taxi four years ago, and in January, in collaboration with Hyundai Motors of South Korea, a flying car that can accommodate four passengers We showed off the concept model.

Development by venture companies is also active.

In October last year, a German venture company "Borocopter" was piloted in Singapore and piloted a flying taxi.

In the future, we plan to allow pilots to move between the special take-off and landing spaces in the city.

China's drone venture company “Ehan” is also intensifying the competition for development, with people carrying passengers and conducting flight demonstration experiments.

If it is realized, it will be an "Empty Mobile Revolution"

There is no clear definition of a “flying car”, but in the itinerary made by the country to realize it, it is a vehicle that uses an electric propeller to take off and land vertically like a helicopter or drone and operate remotely without a pilot. It has been.

It is expected that the runway will be unnecessary and the movement will be efficient, and that the number of parts will be smaller than that of passenger cars and the maintenance cost will be suppressed, and if realized, it will be an "empty mobile revolution". ..

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and a public-private council made by companies are aiming for practical use in 2023, and are planning to carry visitors at the Osaka Expo in 2025.

Many challenges to achieve

However, realization has many challenges.

In order to carry people, it is required to have the same level of safety and noise as aircraft.

Improving battery performance is essential to maintain cruising range.

The success of this manned flight test is an important step towards commercialization, Shinobu Kishi chief technology officer of "SkyDrive" is "has been marked with yet's 3 Go eyes. Technical prospect, in the future, specifically We have developed a new test machine for various flight applications, and there are hurdles to clear an unprecedented examination."

The characteristics of the aircraft that are currently being tested are smaller than helicopters and larger than drones that cannot carry people.

At the company, of the eight propellers in the four corners of the aircraft, we are developing so that even if one of them breaks down, we will continue to develop the flight, and we will extend the flight time to about 30 minutes, which is three times as long as the current time. We are improving the performance.

In addition, institutional improvements such as the creation of standards for examinations such as type certification, maintenance of takeoff and landing sites, and adjustment of airspace to fly will also be necessary.

The government-private council will make a detailed list of necessary systems during the current fiscal year to make the itinerary more practical.