SkyDrive Inc., a prominent Japanese manufacturer of eVTOL aircraft, has entered into a strategic partnership with Taiwan’s 7A Drones Co., Ltd., and the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI).
The collaboration will explore the deployment of SkyDrive’s SKYDRIVE eVTOL aircraft for emergency medical transportation within Taiwan, with a primary focus on the geographically dispersed Penghu Islands.
The partnership aims to co-develop practical use cases for the SKYDRIVE eVTOL, particularly in the realm of emergency medical services (EMS). The project will initially concentrate on establishing air routes between the main island of Penghu and its surrounding inhabited islets, specifically those within a 10-kilometer radius of Magong City. These routes are intended to provide rapid medical access by transporting physicians and patients in urgent situations.
The Penghu Archipelago consists of 90 islands, 19 of which are inhabited. These isolated communities often face delays in critical medical care due to limited transportation infrastructure. The use of eVTOL aircraft could significantly reduce response times and improve outcomes in emergency scenarios. As a pilot use case, the partners plan to connect a hospital in Magong City with Hujing Island, laying the groundwork for scalable EMS operations across the region.
As part of the agreement, 7A Drones has placed a pre-order for up to ten SKYDRIVE aircraft, underlining its commitment to advancing eVTOL-based healthcare solutions in Taiwan. The deployment of these aircraft is planned to begin in 2028, aligning with Taiwan’s national Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) policy, which supports the integration of next-generation air transportation into public infrastructure.
This initiative represents a significant public-private effort in Taiwan, with contributions from government agencies, private enterprises, and research institutions. The collaboration spans multiple domains including operational planning, regulatory framework development, vertiport infrastructure, airworthiness assessments, and coordination with the medical sector. Together, these efforts aim to establish a reliable and sustainable EMS ecosystem utilizing eVTOL technology.
Tomohiro Fukuzawa, CEO of SkyDrive, said, “We are very pleased to enter into a partnership with 7A Drones and ITRI to advance the commercialization of eVTOL operations in Taiwan. In Taiwan, particularly on remote islands, there are significant challenges related to emergency medical services, and eVTOLs can play a central role in addressing these issues. By combining SkyDrive’s expertise with the extensive operational knowledge of 7A Drones and the broad organizational capabilities of ITRI, we aim to contribute to local communities in Taiwan while building a sustainable air mobility model that will serve as a precedent for other regions in Asia. We look forward to furthering our long-term collaboration with public and private partners to establish a sustainable and robust business foundation.”
Hsin-Sheng Hsu, CEO of 7A Drones Co., Ltd., said, “We are honored to collaborate with SkyDrive Inc., one of Japan’s leading eVTOL manufacturers, and the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), Taiwan’s premier public research organization, to jointly advance a project aimed at realizing an air mobility society in Taiwan. Taiwan is home to numerous remote islands which face urgent, critical issues including not only the transportation of daily necessities and medical supplies but also the establishment of a rapid emergency medical transport system for doctors and patients. Through this project, and in close partnership with SkyDrive and ITRI, we aim to build an environment where every citizen in Taiwan can access appropriate medical services regardless of geographic constraints. Moving forward, we remain committed to building a more sustainable and inclusive next-generation air infrastructure through public-private collaboration.“
Wen-Yang Peng, Deputy General Director of Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), added, “We are honored to collaborate on this project with SkyDrive Inc., a leading Japanese eVTOL manufacturer known for its highly reliable control systems, lightweight aircraft, and high-efficiency airframe design, and also with 7A Drones, a Taiwanese company with extensive experience in drone development and inter-island logistics. Together, we aim to expand the position and contribution of air mobility within Taiwanese society.”
SkyDrive envisions the Penghu project as a blueprint for broader eVTOL applications across Taiwan. Following successful implementation in emergency medical transport, future expansions may include inter-island passenger routes, tourism services, and urban air mobility concepts. By leveraging early operational models and strategic partnerships, SkyDrive aims to support the development of a resilient and scalable AAM infrastructure throughout the region.
