JAPANESE ‘FLYING CAR’ MAKES DEMO FLIGHT AT EXPO 2025 VENUE AHEAD OF OPENING

OSAKA, April 10 (Bernama-Kyodo) -- A Japanese startup conducted a demonstration flight of its "flying car" on Wednesday in front of members of the press at the venue of the 2025 World Exposition in Osaka, ahead of the opening of the global event.

According to Kyodo News Agency, the battery-powered SD-05 aircraft, equipped with 12 rotors and a seating capacity of three, is capable of flying a distance of 15 to 40 kilometres.

Its developer, SkyDrive Inc., plans to fly the vehicle on Sunday, the first day of the expo, as well as on other occasions during the expo, running through Oct. 13 on Yumeshima, an artificial island in Osaka Bay.

"I want (people) to be excited by watching and learning about it at the expo," SkyDrive CEO Tomohiro Fukuzawa said at a media day event attended by over 4,500 media personnel.

Another flying car, a one-seater operated by Japanese trading house Marubeni Corp., was shown to the media as well, while ANA Holdings Inc. and U.S. startup Joby Aviation Inc. are planning demonstration flights of their flying cars during the expo.

During the media event, members of the press had their first look at the interiors of the pavilions, including those built by overseas participants.

At the US pavilion, visitors were welcomed by a series of immersive exhibits and artefacts, including a "moon rock" collected during the Apollo 17 mission in 1972.

The Chinese pavilion also offered a glimpse of exhibitions incorporating cultural elements such as bamboo and Chinese characters.

Some pavilions, however, are still under construction, raising concerns over whether they will be ready for the opening.

-- BERNAMA-KYODO