There is also active movement toward the practical application of air mobility "flying cars" that will revolutionize air travel as well as self-driving cars that run on land. In 2021, there are moves to achieve large-scale orders and public offerings in anticipation of the future, and the business strategies of each company are blooming before full-scale marketization.
Let's take a look back at the 10 big flying car stories of 2021.
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■空飛ぶクルマなど次世代電動航空機の技術開発、経産省が予算増額（2021年1月21日付）
According to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's 2021 budget proposal, the "technical development project for next-generation electric aircraft" has increased by about 1.5 times compared to the previous year.
This business is part of measures to improve the energy supply and demand structure, aiming to reduce CO2 emissions through the evolution of motor and battery technologies. It is a five-year project starting in 2019, and the amount was increased from about 1.35 billion yen in 2020 to 1.9 billion yen in 2021.
The budget request for fiscal 2022 has also increased to 2.72 billion yen, and we will develop core technology related to aircraft electrification and electric propulsion system technology, and develop the technology necessary for next-generation aircraft scheduled to be launched in the market after 2030. We are going to be the first in the world to prove it.
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is requesting 3.8 billion yen for a new "realization project for social implementation of next-generation air mobility" toward FY2022. Over the next five years, we will work to further expand the use of drones through technological development and demonstration.We will also promote the development of performance evaluation standards and flight management technology for the utilization and commercialization of flying cars at the Osaka/Kansai Expo. It is a policy to continue
[Reference] For details, see "Technological development of next-generation electric aircraft such as flying cars, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry increases budget".
■「空飛ぶクルマ」開発の米Joby Aviationが上場へ トヨタも出資（2021年3月4日付）
US-based Joby Aviation announced plans to list its SPAC on the New York Stock Exchange. It will be successfully listed in August 2021.
Among U.S. flying car development companies, Uber, a major ride-hailing service company, went public in May 2019, but the company's development department was announced to be acquired by Joby in December 2020. Joby became the first US company to go public.
In addition to collaborating with Toyota in the development and production of eVTOL, Joby has deepened its ties with Japan, such as being listed as a new member of the public-private council for the air mobility revolution.
With the goal of starting an air taxi service in 2024, it will be interesting to see how the company develops its business in the future.
[Reference] For details, see "Joby Aviation, a U.S. developer of flying cars, to go public; Toyota also invests".
■国交省に「次世代航空モビリティ企画室」新設！空飛ぶクルマに本腰（2021年3月18日付）
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) has established the Next-Generation Air Mobility Planning Office, a specialized department that centrally handles clerical work related to next-generation air mobility such as drones and flying cars. Twenty-two people will be assigned full-time to study safety standards for next-generation mobility, prepare for and operate a registration system for unmanned aerial vehicles, and develop and operate related systems.
Next-generation mobility, which is being developed and tested in the private sector, can be said to be an uncharted territory in a sense that does not fit within the framework of conventional rules and laws. In order to realize this, it is necessary to have the spirit to build new aviation rules and infrastructure from scratch without being bound by preconceived notions.
Early realization will be possible if the government and the private sector, which are responsible for developing such an environment, will become two wings. Not only the private sector, but also the national government's efforts are highly expected.
[Reference] For more information, please refer to "The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism establishes the Next-Generation Air Mobility Planning Office! See "Flying Car Serious".
■米Joby Aviationが1位！空飛ぶクルマ業界、資金調達ランキング（2021年5月18日付）
ResearchInChina, a Chinese market research company, has published a report titled "World and China's Flying Car Industry (2020-2026)" that covers the amount of funds raised by development companies.
According to the report, US Joby Aviation ranked first with $820 million in funding, followed by German Volocopter with $381 million and Lilium with $375 million. (approximately 41 billion yen). Japan's SkyDrive also ranks fifth with $53.8 million.
It can be said that it is a manifestation of high expectations in anticipation of future business potential and innovation through the development of new mobility called flying cars.
It is thought that the fundraising of each company will accelerate more and more in the future, and there is a high possibility that more companies will be listed for Joby Aviation. Attention should be paid to the trends of each company, including domestic companies.
[Reference] For more information, see "Joby Aviation in the U.S. ranked No. 1! Flying car industry, funding ranking".
■空飛ぶクルマ市場のCAGR、2021～35年は47％！急拡大の要因は？（2021年6月3日付）
According to the “Flying Car Market Size – Industry Trends and Forecast Report 2035” published by the research firm Report Ocean, the CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of the flying car market from 2021 to 2035 will be 47.23%. It is said to go up.
On the other hand, Porsche Consulting estimates that there will be 23,000 passenger drones in 2035, and the global market size will reach 32 billion dollars (about 3.5 trillion yen). Each has announced its prospects for continued growth.
Air mobility, which enables free movement regardless of terrain, is not suitable for detailed movement compared to self-driving cars that run on land, but it enables rough movement between points. In addition, compared to railroads, which enable rough mass transportation, it enables flexible short-to-medium-distance travel, although the number of people to be transported is limited.
It seems almost certain that air mobility will also grow significantly while living separately from ground mobility and cooperating and interlocking.
[Reference] For details, see "Flying car market CAGR, 47% from 2021 to 2035! What are the factors behind the rapid expansion?"
■量子技術で「空飛ぶクルマ」を制御！住友商事、東北大学やOneSkyと実証開始（2021年6月23日付）
Sumitomo Corporation is accelerating its efforts to realize flying cars. Together with OneSky Systems, a U.S. company that develops unmanned aircraft control systems, and Tohoku University, we have embarked on a demonstration experiment on real-time three-dimensional traffic control using quantum computing.
This is a demonstration project that assumes a future in which a large number of air-mobility vehicles fly around, and high-precision air-mobility navigation in urban areas is expected to realize a system that controls optimal routes and flight schedules in real time for air-mobility with various specifications. Orbital simulation etc. will be performed.
Sumitomo Corporation has signed a joint research agreement with Tohoku University in March 2021 for the commercialization of quantum computers. It has announced that it has invested in OneSky Systems in April 2020.
In April 2019, we formed a business alliance with Bell Helicopter Textron of the United States for the purpose of creating new businesses in the field of air mobility. It is an impression that they are focusing on this field, such as exchanging business alliances for promoting joint research such as market research and business participation.
As a trading company, I would like to expect the future success of the company, which plays the role of a fixer for building a multifaceted business model for flying cars.
[Reference] For details, refer to "Controlling a 'Flying Car' with Quantum Technology! Sumitomo Corporation, Tohoku University, and OneSky start demonstration”.
■約4,000万円！東大発テトラ、空飛ぶクルマの予約販売をいよいよ開始（2021年8月3日付）
Tetra Aviation, a startup from the University of Tokyo, has started pre-order sales of the new model "Mk-5 (Mark Five)" that is under development. We have obtained reservations for about 40 aircraft for individuals, and aim to deliver them one year after the reservation. Deliveries are expected to begin as early as the end of 2022.
The Mk-5 is a single-seat model, priced at approximately 40 million yen. Depending on the model, it has a maximum cruising speed of 144-160 km/h and can fly 151-160 km.
It has also been certified for flight tests in the United States, and has a special airworthiness certificate and flight license from the Federal Aviation Administration. Japan and the United States have signed a Mutual Recognition Agreement on Aviation Safety (BASA), which mutually accepts safety inspections and certifications conducted by the other country. can be used for test flights.
The state of the latest flight test conducted in the United States is also available on YouTube. Japan's eVTOL has already crossed borders.
[Reference] For details, please refer to "About 40 million yen! Tetra from the University of Tokyo, reservation sales of flying cars finally started".
■空飛ぶクルマ・eVTOL、欧米で100機以上の大量受注続々！（2021年8月10日付）
Overseas, it seems that the realization of flying cars is already becoming a reality. Large-scale orders for aircraft that anticipate several years ahead are being received one after another.
According to the article, German Lilium has 220 aircraft, U.S. Archer Aviation has up to 200, U.K. Vertical Aerospace has up to 1,000 from airlines, U.S. Skyworks Aeronautics has 100, and Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer's Eve has 200. They have signed a contract to hand it over in a few years.
In addition, China's EHang has already sold more than 100 units and seems to be used in demonstrations around the world.
Similar to self-driving cars on land, demonstrations are being actively carried out, and some are beginning to reach the stage of practical use. Some companies are working on models that can both fly in the air and drive on land. Innovation in mobility knows no bounds and is likely to reach a turning point in the next few years.
[Reference] For details, see "Flying car eVTOL, large orders of more than 100 aircraft in Europe and the United States!"
■大阪の吉村知事「1日も早く」！空飛ぶクルマ実現へ、SkyDriveとタッグ（2021年9月18日付）
Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City signed a partnership agreement with SkyDrive to realize flying cars. Local governments are also starting to get serious about the social implementation of flying cars.
In the agreement, mainly 1) matters related to social implementation of flying cars and demonstration experiments for commercialization 2) matters related to environmental improvement such as improving social acceptance of flying cars 3) matters related to revitalization of Osaka's startup ecosystem - We will deepen cooperation and collaboration with regard to
In 2020, the Osaka Prefectural Government set up the “Osaka Roundtable for Social Implementation of the Air Mobility Revolution,” and is working in earnest to realize flying cars through public-private partnerships. With the 2025 Osaka/Kansai World Expo as one of our goals, we are promoting projects such as feasibility studies for utilization of airfields, business feasibility studies for air taxis, automated control demonstrations, and a comprehensive operation management platform for air mobility. ing.
In order to realize a flying car, it is necessary to identify and solve various problems such as not only aircraft development but also operation and control system construction, infrastructure development, business model construction, and social acceptance.
It cannot be done by the private sector alone, and the active cooperation of the national and local governments is essential.
[Reference] For details, refer to "Governor Yoshimura of Osaka 'As soon as possible'!" SkyDrive and Tag to Realize Flying Cars”.
■「空飛ぶクルマ」の型式証明、申請・審査の流れは？SkyDriveが申請第1号に（2021年11月6日付）
SkyDrive announced that it has submitted a type certification application for a flying car that it is developing. This is the first application in Japan for a flying car.
Type certification is a system for examining and certifying whether safety standards and environmental standards are met for each type of aircraft. It is like "type designation" in automobiles, and by proving that the design and structure of the aircraft under development meet the required standards, it is possible to omit some inspections at the time of mass production. be possible.
In order to fly, it must continue to receive airworthiness certification separately, but type designation can be said to be the first step towards obtaining this airworthiness certification.
The company is proceeding with development with the goal of starting service in the Osaka Bay Area in 2025, and has already succeeded in demonstration flights using manned test aircraft.
We hope that other companies will follow in the footsteps of SkyDrive, and that development will continue to accelerate throughout the industry.
[Reference] For details, see "What is the flow of application/examination for type certification of a 'flying car'?" See SkyDrive No. 1 Application.
■【まとめ】大阪・関西万博が目下の目標に
Flying cars, which 10 years ago seemed like a technology of the distant future, are now beginning to reach practical use. Ten years from now, it is quite possible that it will become a form of mobility that has gained citizenship around the world.
In Japan, the 2025 Osaka/Kansai World Expo will be a turning point, and there is no doubt that efforts toward this goal will continue to accelerate. The trend in 2022 is also worth paying attention to.