Toyota developing flying automobile to light Olympic fire in Tokyo 2020

Toyota has focused on the futuristic project of riding the sky. The Japanese company intends to launch its flying automobile on the occasion of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Toyota is setting aside around JPY 42.5 million (USD 375,000) for the Cartivator project, for the development of a Sci-Fi three-wheel car based on drone technology, AFP reports.

The manned vehicle, called Skydrive, will have four propellers and be the smallest flying car in the world at 2.9 meters of length and 1.3 meters of width, as envisaged by the project.

The promotional animation clip shows a small car lowering its retractable wings before setting off on a flight around Tokyo and then lighting the Olympic fire.

It is expected that the maximum speed will amount to around 100 km/h at around 10 meters above the ground. On the ground, the maximum speed will amount to around 150 km/h.

A team of young engineers from the car industry and the aviation industry is working on this project, which is financed by numerous investors, including Toyota's subsidiaries.

The team hopes to be able to launch a manned prototype by the end of next year and that it will be used to light the Olympic flame in 2020, AFP reports.

Toyota Motor Corporation Toyota City

Toyota

flying car

Skydrive

2020 Tokyo Olympics

2020 Olympics