SkyDrive Achieves Successful Demonstration Flight of Flying Car in Tokyo
On February 24, 2026, SkyDrive, a leading company in flying car development based in Toyota, Aichi, successfully executed its first-ever demonstration flight in Tokyo, in collaboration with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Mitsubishi Estate Co., and Kanematsu Corporation. The flight took place at the Tokyo Big Sight, where around 300 spectators gathered to witness this groundbreaking event.
The demonstration featured the SkyDrive SD-05 model, which has already been used for flights during the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo and at the Osaka Port vertiport. The aircraft showcased its capability to fly from a confined space to over the water, illustrating the potential for safe takeoffs and landings in densely populated urban environments. The significance of this demonstration lies in its illustration of a future where numerous vertiports can be established in urban areas, such as rooftops of buildings or parking lots of large shopping malls. This would make air travel a viable option for daily commuting, moving closer to a door-to-door service model.
The flight lasted approximately 3 minutes and 30 seconds, covering a distance of 150 meters at an altitude of 13 meters, with the operation managed via automatic control and remote piloting, rather than a pilot on board. Such operational efficiency emphasizes the SD-05’s compact design and maneuverability, crucial for urban environments where spatial constraints are a challenge.
The SD-05's multi-rotor configuration offers superior agility compared to conventional fixed-wing flying cars, making it ideal for navigating the complex urban landscapes of Tokyo. With many existing helicopter landing sites in Tokyo measuring around 15 to 20 square meters, the SD-05’s smaller required footprint allows for greater flexibility and more landing zones across the city.
The driving force behind this initiative is Tokyo’s goal of enhancing urban mobility to alleviate traffic congestion, improve logistics efficiency, and ultimately elevate the quality of life for city dwellers. Since 2022, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Mitsubishi Estate, and Kanematsu have engaged in proving business models and experimental operations connecting the New Marunouchi Building’s rooftop with nearby seaside areas, demonstrating that travel times could be reduced substantially while ensuring accessibility to vertiports.
This demonstration flight is part of a broader roadmap aimed at introducing flying cars into the urban transportation system, as stipulated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s innovative transport strategy plans. SkyDrive, after successful participation in the Osaka-Kansai Expo, is now fully engaged in this project, contributing to the progression toward practical applications of flying cars, aiming for rollout within the next few years.
During the demo, passengers also experienced check-in and security protocols incorporating facial recognition technology, aiming to refine the operational workflow for potential future commercial flights. According to SkyDrive's CEO Tomohiro Fukuzawa, this pioneering flight marks a significant milestone for the company and for flying car technology in Japan. Expressing gratitude towards the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and partners, he reiterated SkyDrive’s commitment to ensuring safety and reliability while making flying cars a familiar part of everyday urban life.
Looking forward, the demonstration will continue through February 28, 2026, at the same location, with twice daily flights inviting public attendance. All of these efforts point toward SkyDrive’s vision of leading a revolution in urban mobility through advancements in aerial transport, positioning Japan at the forefront of this technological evolution.
The demonstration featured the SkyDrive SD-05 model, which has already been used for flights during the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo and at the Osaka Port vertiport. The aircraft showcased its capability to fly from a confined space to over the water, illustrating the potential for safe takeoffs and landings in densely populated urban environments. The significance of this demonstration lies in its illustration of a future where numerous vertiports can be established in urban areas, such as rooftops of buildings or parking lots of large shopping malls. This would make air travel a viable option for daily commuting, moving closer to a door-to-door service model.
The flight lasted approximately 3 minutes and 30 seconds, covering a distance of 150 meters at an altitude of 13 meters, with the operation managed via automatic control and remote piloting, rather than a pilot on board. Such operational efficiency emphasizes the SD-05’s compact design and maneuverability, crucial for urban environments where spatial constraints are a challenge.
The SD-05's multi-rotor configuration offers superior agility compared to conventional fixed-wing flying cars, making it ideal for navigating the complex urban landscapes of Tokyo. With many existing helicopter landing sites in Tokyo measuring around 15 to 20 square meters, the SD-05’s smaller required footprint allows for greater flexibility and more landing zones across the city.
The driving force behind this initiative is Tokyo’s goal of enhancing urban mobility to alleviate traffic congestion, improve logistics efficiency, and ultimately elevate the quality of life for city dwellers. Since 2022, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Mitsubishi Estate, and Kanematsu have engaged in proving business models and experimental operations connecting the New Marunouchi Building’s rooftop with nearby seaside areas, demonstrating that travel times could be reduced substantially while ensuring accessibility to vertiports.
This demonstration flight is part of a broader roadmap aimed at introducing flying cars into the urban transportation system, as stipulated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s innovative transport strategy plans. SkyDrive, after successful participation in the Osaka-Kansai Expo, is now fully engaged in this project, contributing to the progression toward practical applications of flying cars, aiming for rollout within the next few years.
During the demo, passengers also experienced check-in and security protocols incorporating facial recognition technology, aiming to refine the operational workflow for potential future commercial flights. According to SkyDrive's CEO Tomohiro Fukuzawa, this pioneering flight marks a significant milestone for the company and for flying car technology in Japan. Expressing gratitude towards the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and partners, he reiterated SkyDrive’s commitment to ensuring safety and reliability while making flying cars a familiar part of everyday urban life.
Looking forward, the demonstration will continue through February 28, 2026, at the same location, with twice daily flights inviting public attendance. All of these efforts point toward SkyDrive’s vision of leading a revolution in urban mobility through advancements in aerial transport, positioning Japan at the forefront of this technological evolution.
Topics Consumer Technology）
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