SkyDrive to Conduct Expanded Demonstration Flights of SD-05 eVTOL at Expo 2025 Osaka
SkyDrive, a pioneering electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft developer headquartered in Japan, has announced plans to carry out an extended series of demonstration flights featuring its flagship aircraft, the SkyDrive Model SD-05, at the upcoming Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. Building on their previous milestone flight, SkyDrive will resume public demonstrations beginning July 31, 2025, with additional flights scheduled throughout the summer months.
This new series of demonstrations is designed not only to showcase the capabilities of SkyDrive’s latest eVTOL technology but also to further validate the aircraft’s performance and safety in a live, high-visibility setting. These flights will take place at the specially designed EXPO Vertiport, a dedicated takeoff and landing area developed to support aerial mobility exhibitions during the global event. The company sees these continued flight operations as a critical step in its mission to commercialize urban air mobility (UAM) in Japan and beyond.
SkyDrive’s Journey to Expo 2025
SkyDrive’s journey toward the Expo began several years ago and was marked by significant development milestones and rigorous testing. In February 2023, the company was selected as one of the few advanced air mobility (AAM) providers to participate in Expo 2025 Osaka. This selection placed SkyDrive alongside a small cohort of innovators chosen to represent the future of transportation, particularly in the domain of sustainable and smart mobility.
The Expo 2025 organizing committee identified SkyDrive’s eVTOL technology as a key component of its forward-looking theme: “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.” This global exposition is intended to showcase breakthrough innovations that could revolutionize various facets of daily life, including healthcare, infrastructure, and transportation. SkyDrive’s inclusion was a clear recognition of the company’s role as a leader in the rapidly emerging eVTOL industry.
The company marked a major achievement in April 2025 when it successfully completed its first public demonstration flight over the EXPO Vertiport, located within the Expo grounds on Yumeshima Island. That flight, a historic moment for Japan’s advanced air mobility sector, confirmed the aircraft’s core flight capabilities in a live event environment. It was not only a technological success but also a symbolic milestone — it demonstrated the potential of flying vehicles as part of the transportation systems of the near future.
Continued Development and Testing
Following the successful April demonstration, SkyDrive continued its rigorous testing campaign throughout the spring and early summer of 2025. The company has conducted a series of uncrewed and piloted test flights, simulating a variety of operational scenarios and gradually expanding the aircraft’s flight envelope. These tests were crucial in evaluating aircraft performance across different parameters, such as takeoff and landing precision, battery efficiency, flight control responsiveness, and system redundancies.
According to the company, all test flights were completed without incident, reinforcing confidence in the safety and reliability of the SD-05 platform. Engineers and test pilots collaborated closely to analyze flight data, optimize control algorithms, and integrate performance feedback into successive software updates. This iterative process has been essential to refining the aircraft ahead of expanded public demonstrations.
In parallel with its flight testing, SkyDrive has been engaging with regulatory bodies, including the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), to ensure compliance with Japan’s evolving framework for urban air mobility. Certification processes are ongoing, and the results of these demonstration flights will contribute to data-gathering efforts for eventual full certification and commercialization.
About the SkyDrive Model SD-05
The SkyDrive SD-05 is the company’s most advanced eVTOL aircraft to date. Designed for urban passenger transport, it is envisioned as a two-seat air taxi capable of short-distance flights within cities or between key transportation hubs. With its all-electric propulsion system, vertical takeoff and landing capability, and emphasis on quiet operation, the SD-05 represents a promising solution to reduce urban traffic congestion and carbon emissions.
Key design features of the SD-05 include:
- Vertical takeoff and landing capability, requiring no runway
- Zero-emission electric propulsion system
- A compact airframe optimized for urban flight paths
- Advanced flight control systems for stability and autonomous functions
- Quiet rotor design to minimize noise pollution
SkyDrive’s aircraft is being developed for use in both piloted and autonomous configurations, with a long-term goal of integrating into Japan’s public transportation infrastructure — including potential service routes between airports and city centers or tourist destinations.
SkyDrive’s Vision for the Future
SkyDrive’s participation in Expo 2025 goes far beyond a technological showcase — it is part of a broader mission to redefine how people move through the world. As the company continues its flight demonstrations, it aims to inspire both the public and policymakers to envision a future where aerial mobility is not a novelty, but a normal part of everyday life.
“We are honored to be part of Expo 2025 Osaka and to demonstrate the potential of our eVTOL technology to the world,” said a SkyDrive spokesperson. “The opportunity to conduct further demonstration flights is a key moment for us. It allows us to show the progress we’ve made in safety, performance, and operational readiness, and to continue building public trust in aerial mobility.”
SkyDrive is also actively engaged with stakeholders across industry and government to create the necessary ecosystem to support aerial mobility in Japan. This includes vertiport development, air traffic integration, passenger safety protocols, and more.
Looking forward, SkyDrive plans to transition from demonstration flights to pre-commercial service trials in the years following the Expo. These trials may involve collaboration with public and private sector partners, including airlines, transportation agencies, and municipal governments. The goal is to launch limited air taxi services in select cities by the latter half of the decade.
The momentum generated by Expo 2025 is expected to serve as a catalyst not only for SkyDrive’s growth but for the entire advanced air mobility industry in Japan. With government support, public interest, and advancing technology all aligning, the vision of flying cars is closer to reality than ever before.
As of now, all eyes are on SkyDrive’s next major flight on July 31, 2025, which is set to mark the beginning of a new chapter in the company’s journey. With continued demonstrations throughout the summer, the company is poised to cement its role as a leader in the global eVTOL revolution.