SkyDrive Inc. has reached a general understanding with Taiwanese drone system specialist 7A Drones Co., Ltd. for the purchase of 10 “SKYDRIVE” Model SD-05 eVTOL aircraft.
This agreement establishes a formal framework that includes pricing structures and delivery timelines for the ten electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles. Central to the partnership is a joint proposal to establish an emergency medical evacuation route within the Penghu Islands, specifically connecting Hujing Island to the more advanced medical facilities in Magong City on the archipelago’s main island.
The Penghu Islands, a cluster of 90 islands, frequently deal with restricted inter-island transportation due to rough winter weather and cancelled ferry services. These logistics gaps are a significant concern for the approximately 860 residents of Hujing Island, which is currently served by only one basic public clinic. The proposed eVTOL route is designed to complement existing marine and helicopter transport, providing a stable alternative when sea conditions prevent traditional travel.
Tomohiro Fukuzawa, Founder & CEO of SkyDrive Inc., said, “We are delighted that 7A Drones, our business partner in Taiwan, has signed this Letter of Intent for the purchase of SKYDRIVE aircraft. As our first Letter of Intent in the Asian market, this agreement marks a significant milestone in the expansion of SkyDrive’s overseas businesses.
“We are particularly pleased to announce a first concrete expansion into the medical sector with joint proposals for emergency medical routes in the Penghu Islands. By leveraging the fast response and stable operation of eVTOL aircraft to address the transport challenges faced by island communities, we can help build a more robust medical infrastructure. We are proud to contribute towards this worthy goal. As we work towards the commercialization of our eVTOL services in 2028, we will further strengthen our partnership with 7A Drones and ITRI. We are accelerating our aircraft development and building the infrastructure required to make travelling by eVTOL a regular part of everyday life. Together, our goal is to deliver safe and convenient air mobility to the people of Taiwan as soon as we possibly can.”
Hsin-Sheng Hsu, CEO of 7A Drones Co., Ltd., stated, “We are pleased to announce that 7A Drones has entered into a Letter of Intent (LOI) with SkyDrive Inc. regarding the potential purchase of aircraft. We consider this agreement to be a highly meaningful milestone. This LOI represents an important starting point for 7A Drones to explore the potential for cooperation with SkyDrive and other Japanese companies in the field of next-generation air mobility.
“In particular, the concept of utilizing advanced air mobility solutions for emergency medical transportation in the Penghu Islands has drawn our strong interest, as it may serve as one possible approach to addressing the challenges faced by remote island communities, including transportation constraints and equitable access to medical services. We believe it is essential to engage in careful and constructive dialogue with all relevant stakeholders to explore how new forms of mobility, such as so-called “eVTOL,” can contribute to local communities in a practical and socially meaningful manner.
“Going forward, 7A Drones will work closely with SkyDrive and other related partners, while sharing information and perspectives, to thoroughly examine the technical, operational, and regulatory aspects required to realize this initiative. Through this project, we hope to further strengthen substantive private-sector cooperation and dialogue between Taiwan and Japan, and to contribute to the long-term development of cross-border collaboration in advanced mobility.”
As the project moves forward, the companies will focus on the technical and regulatory requirements necessary to integrate these aircraft into the regional medical infrastructure. The initiative represents a strategic shift toward utilizing air mobility to ensure equitable access to healthcare in geographically isolated regions.
