SkyDrive Inc., a developer of "flying cars" and "cargo drones" headquartered in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, has partnered with Toray Carbon Magic Co., Ltd., based in Maibara City, Shiga Prefecture, and providing advanced carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) products for the automotive, aerospace and other industries, to develop a composite vehicle's structure together. The two partners started with material conformity testing.

Background of development

With the mission of "leading the once-in-a-century mobility revolution," SkyDrive is developing flying cars to realize a future that utilizes the sky for daily transportation. In 2025, it aims to enter into service in the Osaka Bay Area using the flying car of the SkyDrive Type "SD-05," a two-seater vehicle for which SkyDrive is currently pursuing type certification.

The most important factor in the development of the two-seater SD-05 is to reduce the weight of the vehicle. TCM's design and manufacturing technologies and facilities are extremely effective in achieving this goal, and the pair have been engaged in discussions and prototypes of a light and strong CFRP structure for flying cars.

CFRP is a resin base material to which carbon fiber is added as a reinforcing material. In addition to high rigidity and high strength, carbon fiber also has features such as electrical conductivity, heat resistance, low thermal expansion coefficient, self-lubricity, and X-ray permeability. By taking advantage of these features, it is expected to make products lighter, larger, smaller, and more energy-efficient, and is widely used in a variety of applications.

TCM's design technology, prototype proposal capabilities, and high-precision autoclave production technology, cultivated through the design and manufacture of racing car parts, are highly recognized by the market, and the company currently produces many CFRP parts not only for automotive applications but also in a wide range of other fields.

SkyDrive will proceed, together with TCM, with material conformity testing, acquire type certification (*2), and promote development with the target of launching air taxi services in the Osaka Bay Area in 2025.

Comments from the companies

Akiyoshi Oku, CEO, President and Representative Director, Toray Carbon Magic Co., Ltd. "We are delighted that our lightweight and aerodynamic technologies cultivated in the development of racing cars will be utilized in developing the flying car. We will continue to work proactively on the development of elemental technologies required for flying the vehicle, and together with SkyDrive, we will strive to contribute to the future society."

Tomohiro Fukuzawa, CEO, President and Representative Director, SkyDrive Inc. "Toray Carbon Magic's advanced carbon fiber-reinforced plastic is an essential element of our two-seater aircraft SD-05. Starting with this material compatibility testing, we will continue to work closely together to promote the development of a light and strong flying car airframe structure, with the aim of realizing an air mobility society."