Indian auto major Maruti, in collaboration with its parent company Suzuki, is reportedly planning to venture into the development of electric air copters.
The planned air copters will be bigger than drones but smaller than traditional helicopters, capable of carrying at least three individuals including the pilot, The Times of India reported.
Suzuki Motor’s assistant manager, Kento Ogura, reportedly revealed that discussions with India’s civil aviation regulator DGCA are underway to turn the plans into reality.
The electric air copters, named SkyDrive, are expected to be launched at the 2025 Osaka Expo in Japan.
Maruti intends to eventually introduce this technology in India under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
The company is presently conducting market research in India to identify potential customers and partners.
The air copter, weighing 1.4 tonnes at take-off, is nearly half the weight of a conventional helicopter, enabling it to use building rooftops for take-off and landing.
The report said due to electrification, the number of aircraft parts has reduced significantly, leading to lower manufacturing and maintenance costs.
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