Hyundai Motor Group is accelerating the creation of an urban air mobility (UAM) and future air mobility (AAM) ecosystem.

'AAM' refers to both urban air mobility (UAM) and regional air mobility (RAM), and Hyundai Motor Group is creating an AAM headquarters to tackle the two areas of air mobility business.

Hyundai Motor Group confirmed the name of its independent UAM corporation in the U.S. as 'Supernal' in November last year.

Supernal has continued its global collaboration, partnering with the City of Los Angeles and the Urban Movement Lab to develop a roadmap and policy for public engagement on future air mobility (AAM).

Last July, Supernal also participated in the Farnborough International Airshow held in the UK and showcased its technological prowess. This is the first unveiling of the onboard concept model of the eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-off and Landing) aircraft, which is currently under development and is targeted for commercialization in 2028.

We are also continuing our collaboration by signing a business agreement with Rolls-Royce for aircraft propulsion systems.

Rob Watson, Chairman of Rolls-Royce, expressed his expectations, saying, “We are developing electric propulsion systems and hydrogen fuel cells in collaboration with Hyundai Motor Company, and we expect this to be a great opportunity to achieve net zero. Through this partnership, we will present safe and optimized fuel cells.”

■ Hyundai Motor Company President Shin Jae-won: “Building Air Traffic Infrastructure Including Aircraft Is Essential”

Hyundai Motor Company President Shin Jae-won asserted that what is important in Hyundai Motor Company's urban air mobility (UAM) and future air mobility (AAM) industries is not only the aircraft, but also building an ecosystem.

In his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of '2022 K-UAM Confex', President Shin emphasized the need to establish air traffic infrastructure and vertiports as much as aircraft development, and the seamless integration of ground and air traffic.

The new CEO said, "The most important things in UAM and AAM are stability, technological innovation for this, and building an ecosystem. Although time is limited, all stakeholders must work together like rugby players to achieve technological innovation for commercializing UAM, a completely new market,” he said.

■ Hyundai Engineering & Construction Unveils First Korean Vertiport Concept Design
Hyundai Engineering & Construction announced that it participated in the '2022 K-UAM Confex' and unveiled the Korean-style vertiport for the first time to revitalize the domestic UAM industry. This is a joint project with Hyundai Motor Company and was derived based on collaboration with Incheon International Airport Corporation.

Vertiport is attracting attention as a new mobility hub and a diverse space that can be linked to residential, office, and commercial facilities. It is a new concept compared to existing airports.

Considering the operational efficiency and location characteristics of vertiports, Hyundai Engineering & Construction divided the types of vertiports into four types: airport-linked, building-top, complex transfer center, and open-space modular, and presented conceptual designs for each type of existing airport terminal infrastructure and urban building.

Meanwhile, Hyundai Engineering & Construction formed the 'K-UAM One Team Consortium' with Hyundai Motor Company, Incheon International Airport Corporation, KT, and Korean Air last year, signed a business agreement, and jointly submitted a proposal to participate in the 'K-UAM Grand Challenge Phase 1', a national demonstration project for the government's integrated operation of UAM. In addition, it participated in the '2022 K-UAM Confex' as 'K-UAM One Team' and presented a vision for revitalizing the domestic UAM industry.