• Japanese automaker Suzuki says it will begin manufacturing flying taxis by autumn of next year.
• This is after a partnership with eVTOL company SkyDrive.
• eVTOLs are completely electric aircraft, capable of flying quick bursts in short distances.

As drone technology continues to enjoy advancements and popularity, companies around the world are looking at ways to use it to transport human beings. The latest of which is Japanese automaker Suzuki, which recently signed a new deal that will see it begin manufacturing “flying cars.”

According to Reuters, the new deal between Suzuki Group and SkyDrive Inc will see Suzuki turn some of its production powers towards electric flying transport vehicles. These will be machines far smaller and lighter than helicopters called electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

These eVTOLs have sprung up before, at least conceptually from disparate firms. Some are being built to be used as taxis. In 2018, aerospace manufacturer Rolls-Royce shared its intention to begin building eVTOLs.

Rolls-Royce’s eVTOLs are still in the concept phase, with the carmaker sharing its latest 3D renders of the proposed design in videos a few months ago.

Closer to home, Kenya Airways signed a deal with Brazilian eVTOL builder Embraer to bring flying taxis to Nairobi by 2025, according to a 2022 report from Business Daily Africa.

These eVTOLs will ferry passengers between certain hotels and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in the capital city. Embraer’s machines are entirely autonomous, meaning they don’t require pilots and can carry around four passengers, six in total without any pilots or engineers.

They can fly at speeds of 400km per hour, with an average range of 100km per flight. Embraer says that one “pilot” will be onboard the Kenyan eVTOLs when they begin operations.

SkyDrive, also a Japanese firm, will begin helping Suzuki build its own eVTOLs by autumn of next year. Its own vehicles are similar to those being made by Embraer and Rolls-Royce, featuring multiple rotor blades on top, and one to propel the device forward.

Expect Suzuki’s flying cars to be similar to those SkyDrive is conceptualizing, and function in a similar way to Kenya’s own air taxis.

[Image – Embraer]