FutureFlight
SkyDrive Evaluates Flying Car Rotors in Wind Tunnel
The Tokyo-based start-up has been approved to use the wind tunnel facilities of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.
JAXA wind tunnel
SkyDrive is using the wind tunnel facilities of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency to evaluate rotors for its SD-03 flying car. (Photo: SkyDrive)

SkyDrive is using a wind tunnel provided by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to evaluate the aerodynamic characteristics of its planned family of flying cars and cargo drones. The Tokyo-based start-up announced a research and development partnership with the agency on August 10.

Initial work will focus on the performance of rotors SkyDrive is developing for its SD-03 flying car prototype. The company’s engineering team is looking to understand exactly how airflow affects the rotors in order to optimize their shape and revolution speed as part of work to maximize power utilization and achieving quiet and stable flight for the vehicle.