Maruti Suzuki, along with its parent company Suzuki, aims to develop electric air copters, with plans to revolutionize transportation. Initially focusing on Japan and the US markets, the company intends to eventually expand to India.
Maruti, partnering with Suzuki, is entering the electric air copter development arena. These vehicles, as reported by Times of India, will be larger than drones but smaller than traditional helicopters, designed to carry at least three people, including the pilot.
Maruti intends to introduce innovative mobility solutions initially in Japan and the US, with plans to expand to India. These electric air taxis have the potential to revolutionize transportation. Maruti is not only targeting sales in India but also exploring local manufacturing to lower costs.
Suzuki Motor’s assistant manager, Kento Ogura, disclosed ongoing discussions with the aviation regulator DGCA to materialize this vision. The electric air copters, named SkyDrive, are slated for launch at the 2025 Osaka Expo in Japan.
Maruti plans to introduce this technology to India as part of the ‘Make in India’ initiative. Currently, the company is conducting market research in India to identify potential customers and partners. Ogura stressed the importance of affordability for the success of these air copters in India.
The air copter, weighing 1.4 tonnes at take-off, is nearly half the weight of a conventional helicopter, making it lighter and more maneuverable. This lighter weight enables it to utilize building rooftops for take-off and landing, offering greater flexibility in urban environments. Additionally, electrification has resulted in a reduction in the number of aircraft parts, leading to lower manufacturing and maintenance costs compared to traditional helicopters.
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