Project to bring flying taxis one step closer to reality

Social Affairs

Published: 22 Feb. 2023, 17:22

Project to bring flying taxis one step closer to reality

Eo Myeong-soo, vice minister of land, infrastructure and transport, speaks during an agreement ceremony for a flying taxi demonstration project at the Grand Hyatt Seoul in Yongsan District, central Seoul, Wednesday. [MINISTRY OF LAND, INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRANSPORT]

The race to bring flying taxis to life has begun.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on Wednesday signed memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with 46 Korean companies to start a one-year, first-stage demonstration project for flying taxis in Goheung County, South Jeolla in August.

The demonstration will test the stability of integrated operations among aviators, traffic managers and vertiport operators in accordance with operating scenarios flying taxis are likely to face in the commercial stage.

Big Korean companies including SK Telecom, Hyundai Motor and Korean Air Lines have created consortia with smaller firms to join the Transport Ministry's K-UAM Grand Challenge, the government's name of the project.

UAM, or urban air mobility, refers to flying cars that can reduce travel time, allow more direct routes and lessen roadway congestion.

Korea aims to operate flying taxis on a commercial basis by 2025.

If the first stage proves a success, the second phase of the demonstration will take place in July 2024 in metropolitan areas, the Transport Ministry said.

“Competition among leading countries to dominate the UAM market in advanced is expected to intensify, and it is most important for Korean companies to secure leadership in the global market," said Eo Myeong-soo, vice minister of land, infrastructure and transport.

“To this end, the government will provide the world's best demonstration environment for private companies to experiment with various technologies while providing varied support, including the early enactment of the UAM Act that incorporates bold regulatory exemptions, R&D for the development of next-generation core technologies and strengthening international cooperation to establish global standards.”

Eo Myeong-soo, vice minister of land, infrastructure and transport, and corporate executives pose for a photo after signing a joint agreement at the Grand Hyatt Seoul in Yongsan District, central Seoul, Wednesday. [MINISTRY OF LAND, INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRANSPORT]

SK Telecom will test communication quality at an altitude of 300 to 600 meters using a communication network developed in-house. Aircraft by Santa Cruz, California-based Joby Aviation will be used in the test.

The telecom company formed a consortium with Korea Airports Corporation and Hanwha Systems. Korea Airports Corporation will take an especially close look at the structure and management of vertiports, urban air mobility stations where vehicles take off and land vertically.

A Hyundai Motor consortium with KT and Hyundai Engineering & Construction will test the operation of flying taxis, including traffic management.

In particular, the Korean auto giant will establish a mobility-as-a-service (Maas) platform that offers services such as best route notification, payment services and reservations.

A consortium led by LG U+ will examine aircraft safety and noise.

The $6.1-billion global market for UAM is expected to reach $609 billion by 2040.

In October, Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) signed an MOU with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to share their demonstration results.

BY SARAH CHEA [chea.sarah@joongang.co.kr]