Flying taxis are not a dream The movement revolution of "flying cars" that the public and private sectors are united in. ?? Finally, the practical use of powered suits has begun!

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SkyDrive Inc. announced in August 2020 that it had received 3.9 billion yen in funding from the Development Bank of Japan and others. Along with industrial cargo drones, the development of a large drone "flying car" (SD-03) that can carry people and fly is drawing a lot of attention. The aircraft has already succeeded in a manned demonstration experiment this summer. Editor-in-chief Anri Sugihara, who is waiting for the realization of an air mobility society more than anyone else, asks SkyDrive representative Tomohiro Fukuzawa about the future of "flying cars".

Why stick to "flying cars"

Sugihara: First, I would like to ask about drones that carry people and fly. I am one who is looking forward to the future as Mr. Fukuzawa envisions, but there are still many people who are asking, "Can you carry a person on a drone and fly?" "What is different from a helicopter?" So, can you tell us from a rudimentary point?

Fukuzawa: The first question is, can you fly with a person on the drone? In that place, you can fly. Normally, the drone weighs about 5 kg, but the cargo drone we are developing can carry about 30-40 kg. Thrust is almost determined in proportion to the area of ​​the propeller, so the larger the propeller, the heavier it can be carried. Our products are quite large, and they provide thrust that can be used by people. So, from a technical point of view, the answer is that you can fly.

SkyDrive's flying car "SD-03". In August 2020, a manned flight test was conducted at the Toyota Test Field in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture. © SkyDrive / CARTIVATOR 2020

However, safety is still the number one concern, so first of all, we aim to be able to continue flying no matter what system troubles occur. If you raise the safety level to Boeing and Airbus levels, it will be regarded as an aircraft and you will be able to carry the general public. We aim to reach that point in 2023.

The second question, to tell you the difference from a helicopter, is that helicopters can go far and carry heavy objects. On the other hand, the advantage of a flying car is that it is electric, so it is quiet without an engine and requires less landing space. The helicopter descends diagonally, but the flying car descends completely vertically, making it easy to secure space for takeoff and landing. Also, helicopters are quite difficult to hover, but flying cars are automatic hovering, so you only have to operate in the direction you want to go. Just as the overwhelming majority of people can fly a drone than a helicopter radio-controlled model, flying a car is easy and easy to automate. That is one of our strengths.

Sugihara: There are expressions such as "air mobility" and "symbiotic society," but is there any reason why your company is particular about the expression "flying car"?

Fukuzawa: There are two reasons. Airplanes are the mobility you use on Halle's day, while cars are the mobility you use on a daily basis. We call it a "car" because it can be used like a car. The other is that I am currently making an aircraft that only flies, but because of its compact size, it can actually run on the ground. It is positioned as an extension of the current car, which can run on the ground and fly in the sky.

Sugihara: Air mobility competition has begun all over the world at once. I think that your company's goal of "carrying people in 2023" is quite early in terms of market research, but is that possible?

Fukuzawa: That's right. I think it's possible, and some players besides us are aiming for it. I think that the maturity of parts centered on motors and batteries and the combination of them are factors, but the maturity of parts has risen sharply in the last 3 to 5 years, and the spread of smartphones has made it more accurate. The price of high-end sensors has dropped to 1/100 or 1 / 10,000.

Sugihara: The question I have now is not mean, and I believe that an air mobility society will surely occur. Are similar competitors already rolling out services globally?

Fukuzawa: There are no companies that carry people now. However, as far as we are aware, there are a few companies that have declared that they will start around 2020 or 23. That said, things in this kind of development field are generally delayed (laughs).

Sugihara: With space development, you'll be late.

Fukuzawa: Yes. So, if everyone starts in the same way, I wonder if we are in the top group. At first, I think it is quick to limit the flight environment, maintain safety and security, accumulate data, improve it, and update it. There is also the idea of ​​making a 100% aircraft, and it can't be helped if it gets slower, but since it's a venture, I think it's naturally better to put it out early and turn it overwhelmingly.

Sugihara: That's right. Because it doesn't make sense if you don't do what big companies can't do. Large companies cannot invest in the lack of evidence and cannot pass the approval. However, if it is a company of a scale like us, Mr. Fukuzawa and I are the only ones to approve.

Fukuzawa: I think so.

Can be an alternative to a doctor helicopter

Sugihara: For example, I think that the number of power supply ports has increased steadily because of the popularity of electric vehicles. Is the port shared with helicopters in Japan's air mobility society? Or will you use the idle land?

Fukuzawa: The first thing we're thinking about flying is the ocean flight route in Osaka. There are several spaces and places around Osaka Bay that can be used as ports, and I'm thinking of using them. In a sense, it's an idle land. I chose it because it is easier to land on the river or the sea in an emergency and it is easier for the people who live in it to understand. Other than that, if it is a heliport, it can be stopped anywhere, and since the area of ​​the heliport is not required, I think that it can be used where the rooftop is left over.

Sugihara: That's interesting. I think Japan has a track record of introducing helicopters in the top 5 and top 10 levels in the world ranking. So, I think there is an understanding of flying over the sky, but when it comes to the level of understanding of the people living in the area you mentioned earlier, I think we have to fight against ethics. How quickly do you think it will be accepted?

Fukuzawa: We are actively discussing flying in Osaka in 2023 with public and private stakeholders, so I think it is quite close to feasible. However, when I look up and get into a state of flying a lot, there are concerns that "Isn't it falling?" "The sky gets dirty" "Isn't it noisy?", But I can't control it easily. I think that using the word "flying car" is easy to get an image of the user from that point of view, and it is a new mobile mobility, but it is easy to get used to.

Sugihara: I think innovation is likely to occur where there is an urgency. Is your company approaching disasters?

Fukuzawa: I think there is a possible alternative to a doctor helicopter. It costs about 200 million yen a year for a doctor helicopter alone, but it is expected that a flying car will cost about 30 million yen per car, and if you buy it, it's over. The cost performance is quite good, so from that point of view, it's an ant.

Sugihara: If it becomes more and more popular, the price will drop, and at that time, I think it will be like buying a mini car, a hybrid, a sports car, etc., but what is the aim? Is it?

Fukuzawa: After all, it's a Toyota Vitz series of small passenger cars. It's easy for anyone to ride. I want to make it interesting for housewives and children, and while the design is cool, I try to make it familiar to everyday life.

Sugihara: So, when things like Ferrari and Porsche come out, it will be easier to compare.

Fukuzawa: That's right. Our goal is to be free to use the sky on a daily basis. It's compact, easy for everyone to use, easy to buy, and I think the service is good.

Sugihara: I think the license will definitely come out in the future. Will the license be a license that accompanies driving an aircraft, or will a new license be issued?

Fukuzawa: At this point, we want to eliminate the need for a license. I want to go in the direction of not needing a license in the first place because it is autonomous driving. On the contrary, who is the pilot would be a remote pilot, completely AI or self-driving. However, for the first few years, I want to allow people with pilot licenses to operate it just in case, so I would like to create a new license standard, but basically I think that it can be used as a drone maneuvering skill and a skill that can avoid dangers and emergencies, so I think it will be quite light.

Aiming for a society where anyone can easily fly in the sky

Sugihara: It is said that many air supremacy will take air superiority mainly in rural areas and at sea around 2030, but it will become a common culture around 2040. It's quite far. Can you make it a little faster (laughs)?

Fukuzawa: Smartphones first appeared with smartphones more than 10 years ago, and now everyone has them. I think early adopters were quick to buy. However, I think that those who do not are those who say, "I have never even heard the word" flying car ", so I think that it will be 2030 until those people use it.

Sugihara: Finally, please tell us about the future your company is aiming for.

Fukuzawa: It's about bringing an era where everyone can easily, safely and securely fly in the sky.

Sugihara: I'd love to hear from you soon! (Smile)

Fukuzawa: Yes. I would be happy if you could ride in Osaka in 2023.