Robot maker · early
SkyDrive
SkyLift is an unmanned eight-rotor cargo drone flown remotely or via automatic autonomous flight, in production and trialed transporting construction materials (including Japan's first cargo-drone material transport to a bridge construction site in a densely inhabited district in Yokohama). The SD-05 passenger eVTOL is currently piloted (1 pilot + 2 passengers) with a fly-by-wire multirotor stack, but SkyDrive demonstrated remotely piloted passenger eVTOL operations in Tokyo in February 2026 as a step toward uncrewed service. Aviation-adjacent scope: admitted on the unmanned/autonomous product line (EHang, Acecore precedents); JCAB Approved Design Organization certification received April 2026, commercial passenger launch targeted for 2028.
Company overview
Identity and operating footprint
Robot models
Specifications remain vendor-claimed
SKYDRIVE (SD-05)
- Three-seat multirotor eVTOL (1 pilot + 2 passengers) with ~100 km/h top speed and ~40 km range
Manufacturer-stated performance of the SKYDRIVE production model (SD-05)
Claim source - Remotely piloted passenger eVTOL operations demonstrated in Tokyo, February 2026
Uncrewed-cockpit flight of the passenger aircraft controlled by a remote pilot, demonstrated Feb 24-28, 2026
Claim source
SkyLift
- 30-50 kg payload cargo drone flown remotely or autonomously; delivers without landing via a 30 m hoist
Manufacturer-stated payload and operating modes for the SkyLift production cargo drone
Claim source
Funding history
Publicly announced rounds
Pre-Series D
MUFG Bank, Ltd., Suzuki Motor Corporation, East Japan Railway Company, Kyushu Railway Company
Round sourceSeries C (add-on)
Inventum Ventures, Osaka Metro Co., Ltd., Energy & Environment Investment, Inc., Mizuho Bank, Ltd.
Round sourceCompany timeline
Milestones and announcements
Source ledger
8 unique public sources