Results Report for "Tokyo Bay eSG Project FY2023 Pilot Project"
Nomura Real Estate Holdings and partners successfully demonstrated a floating port for flying cars in the Tokyo Bay eSG Project.
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- 📰 Published: March 31, 2026 at 22:00
A business group consisting of Nomura Real Estate Co., Ltd. (lead operator, Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo / President and CEO: Daisaku Matsuo), Shimizu Corporation (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo / President: Tatsuya Niimura), ANA Holdings Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo / President and CEO: Koji Shibata), Aero Toyota Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Koto-ku, Tokyo / President and CEO: Koji Kato), Kidou Systems Inc. (Headquarters: Sumida-ku, Tokyo / CEO: Koji Shiono), Eightknot Inc. (Headquarters: Sakai City, Osaka / President and CEO: Yuto Kimura), and Tokyo Water Taxi Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo / President and CEO: Tomoaki Ishii) has been promoting a project since October 2023. This project, titled "Construction of a System and Operation Demonstration for Realizing Land, Sea, and Air Multimodal MaaS Centered on a Floating Port for Flying Cars (eVTOL)*2" (hereinafter, "this project"), was selected under the "Next-Generation Mobility" application theme for the Tokyo Bay eSG Project "Pilot Project"*1 implemented by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in FY2023.
In December 2025, the second demonstration experiment for this project was conducted. It successfully demonstrated helicopter take-offs and landings, simulating flying cars at a floating port installed in the open sea, as well as autonomous vessel*3 operations. Additionally, operations at terminal facilities, verification of the seamless connecting system*4 supporting inter-mobility collaboration, and operation demonstrations by multiple autonomous robots were carried out.
The initiatives of this business group related to the "Tokyo Bay eSG Project FY2023 Pilot Project" will conclude at the end of March 2026. Based on the achievements and knowledge gained from this project, the business group will continue its efforts towards the societal implementation of next-generation mobility across land, sea, and air, contributing to the realization of a richer society by strengthening urban functions and solving social issues such as regional revitalization.
*1 A project that utilizes the Central Breakwater as a demonstration field to implement cutting-edge technology for the realization of a sustainable city where nature and convenience merge.
https://www.tokyobayesg.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/priorityprojects/r5project_result.html
*2 eVTOL (Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing aircraft) refers to small aircraft that use electric motors to rotate multiple rotors, enabling vertical take-off and landing. Also known as "flying cars," they are being developed worldwide as a new form of mobility to contribute to a richer and more sustainable society by alleviating traffic congestion and addressing global warming.
*3 Autonomous navigation: Technology that allows vessels to perceive, judge, and control their surroundings without human intervention.
*4 A system that supports the mutual cooperation of various mobilities across land, sea, and air.
**■ Demonstration Details in December 2025**
**[Demonstration Theme]**
Construction of a System and Operation Demonstration for Realizing Land, Sea, and Air Multimodal MaaS Centered on a Floating Port for Flying Cars (eVTOL)
**[Roles of Each Company in This Project]**
**[Demonstration Details]**
**① Floating Port**
A floating port for flying cars was installed in the open sea (outside closed waters), and helicopter take-off and landing demonstrations were conducted. We verified whether the port possesses performance levels that meet national standards for vertiports*5, even in open waters susceptible to waves and wind.
**② Terminal Facilities**
Assuming a vertiport with two FATO*6 areas, we verified operations such as security inspections and passenger guidance at the terminal facilities. We confirmed the number of personnel required for operating facilities of similar scale and planned passenger flow, identifying areas where mechanization and labor-saving procedures are necessary.
**③ Autonomous Vessel**
An autonomous navigation demonstration was conducted between Hinode and Umi-no-Mori. From the first demonstration, we advanced the collision avoidance algorithm and improved the user interface. By reflecting the improved software, we confirmed that the vessel could autonomously navigate the route without issues.
**④ Autonomous Robots**
System improvements, which were challenges in the first demonstration, were implemented. We verified the operation of autonomous robots through cooperative control of multiple units and operation notifications.
**⑤ Seamless Connecting System (SCS)**
We confirmed that the movements of multiple different types of mobility could be managed on a single software interface. Furthermore, we addressed communication failures identified in the first demonstration and were able to issue operation commands to autonomous robots.
*5 Vertiport: A dedicated take-off and landing site for flying cars.
*6 FATO: Abbreviation for Final Approach and Take-Off area. The take-off and landing zone for flying cars.
[Scenes from the demonstration (December 2025)]
In December 2025, the second demonstration experiment for this project was conducted. It successfully demonstrated helicopter take-offs and landings, simulating flying cars at a floating port installed in the open sea, as well as autonomous vessel*3 operations. Additionally, operations at terminal facilities, verification of the seamless connecting system*4 supporting inter-mobility collaboration, and operation demonstrations by multiple autonomous robots were carried out.
The initiatives of this business group related to the "Tokyo Bay eSG Project FY2023 Pilot Project" will conclude at the end of March 2026. Based on the achievements and knowledge gained from this project, the business group will continue its efforts towards the societal implementation of next-generation mobility across land, sea, and air, contributing to the realization of a richer society by strengthening urban functions and solving social issues such as regional revitalization.
*1 A project that utilizes the Central Breakwater as a demonstration field to implement cutting-edge technology for the realization of a sustainable city where nature and convenience merge.
https://www.tokyobayesg.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/priorityprojects/r5project_result.html
*2 eVTOL (Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing aircraft) refers to small aircraft that use electric motors to rotate multiple rotors, enabling vertical take-off and landing. Also known as "flying cars," they are being developed worldwide as a new form of mobility to contribute to a richer and more sustainable society by alleviating traffic congestion and addressing global warming.
*3 Autonomous navigation: Technology that allows vessels to perceive, judge, and control their surroundings without human intervention.
*4 A system that supports the mutual cooperation of various mobilities across land, sea, and air.
**■ Demonstration Details in December 2025**
**[Demonstration Theme]**
Construction of a System and Operation Demonstration for Realizing Land, Sea, and Air Multimodal MaaS Centered on a Floating Port for Flying Cars (eVTOL)
**[Roles of Each Company in This Project]**
**[Demonstration Details]**
**① Floating Port**
A floating port for flying cars was installed in the open sea (outside closed waters), and helicopter take-off and landing demonstrations were conducted. We verified whether the port possesses performance levels that meet national standards for vertiports*5, even in open waters susceptible to waves and wind.
**② Terminal Facilities**
Assuming a vertiport with two FATO*6 areas, we verified operations such as security inspections and passenger guidance at the terminal facilities. We confirmed the number of personnel required for operating facilities of similar scale and planned passenger flow, identifying areas where mechanization and labor-saving procedures are necessary.
**③ Autonomous Vessel**
An autonomous navigation demonstration was conducted between Hinode and Umi-no-Mori. From the first demonstration, we advanced the collision avoidance algorithm and improved the user interface. By reflecting the improved software, we confirmed that the vessel could autonomously navigate the route without issues.
**④ Autonomous Robots**
System improvements, which were challenges in the first demonstration, were implemented. We verified the operation of autonomous robots through cooperative control of multiple units and operation notifications.
**⑤ Seamless Connecting System (SCS)**
We confirmed that the movements of multiple different types of mobility could be managed on a single software interface. Furthermore, we addressed communication failures identified in the first demonstration and were able to issue operation commands to autonomous robots.
*5 Vertiport: A dedicated take-off and landing site for flying cars.
*6 FATO: Abbreviation for Final Approach and Take-Off area. The take-off and landing zone for flying cars.
[Scenes from the demonstration (December 2025)]
FAQ
What is the Tokyo Bay eSG Project?
It's a Tokyo Metropolitan Government project utilizing the Central Breakwater as a test field to achieve a sustainable city with cutting-edge technology.
What is a flying car (eVTOL)?
An electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, a next-generation mobility solution contributing to traffic congestion relief and environmental measures.
What are the main achievements of this demonstration experiment?
Successful helicopter take-offs/landings from a floating port in the open sea, autonomous vessel operation, and seamless connecting system verification.