[Editor's Note] Urban Air Mobility (UAM) refers to the overall transportation system based on electric-powered eVTOL (Electric Vertical Take-off and Landing) aircraft, and is attracting attention as a next-generation eco-friendly mode of transportation. SKT, which has emerged as a frontrunner in the commercialization of the UAM business, was the only operator pursuing domestic UAM commercialization to participate in the '2022 Busan International Motor Show,' which opened at BEXCO on the 15th. SKT entertained visitors by showcasing a virtual ride experience of an air taxi in 2030 and demonstrated its strong commitment to leading the commercialization of the UAM business. This publication met with Lee Seok-geon, Team Leader of the UAM Business Promotion Team at SKT, to hear his aspirations for the future of SKT's UAM services, aiming for commercialization by 2030.

▲ Lee Seok-geon, Team Leader of SKT's UAM Business Promotion Team

■ Please tell us about the reason for participating in the Busan International Motor Show and introduce your exhibition.

SK Telecom participated in the Busan International Motor Show to promote its service vision leading the domestic UAM industry and to communicate with customers.

UAM stands for 'Urban Air Mobility' and is attracting attention as a dream mode of transportation capable of flying over urban areas.

An experience zone in the form of a 4D metaverse has been set up at this Busan International Motor Show so that visitors can experience UAM in advance, which is not yet commercialized but is targeted for commercialization in 2025.

Wearing a 4D metaverse VR device and riding a robotic arm, visitors can virtually experience UAM set against the backdrop of the 2030 Busan Expo.

■ Please tell us about SKT's UAM business partnerships and direction.

UAM requires cooperation from various institutions and companies, ranging from manufacturing and services to infrastructure and regulations.

SK Telecom aims to become a UAM service provider, and in order to act as an integrated service provider, it requires flight, control, and communication Platforms and other elements must be organically linked.

Partners who manufacture gases, partners capable of providing infrastructure, and cooperation with governments and regulatory agencies are also essential.

SK Telecom submitted a proposal to participate in the Phase 1 demonstration project of the 'Korean Urban Air Mobility Grand Challenge (K-UAM Grand Challenge)' organized by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, together with Korea Airports Corporation, Hanwha Systems, Korea Meteorological Industry & Technology Institute, and Korea Land Information Corporation.

In addition, we have formed a partnership with Joby, a global gas manufacturing company capable of reliably supplying gases, and are currently jointly pursuing business.

SKT plans to introduce the S4 aircraft, which has undergone over 1,000 tests and has battery efficiency capable of flying up to 240 km with a top speed of 320 km/h and carrying four people, referencing Joby Aviation’s experience with NASA’s demonstration tests.

In Korea, the project is being pursued with major companies such as Korea Airports Corporation and Hanwha Systems, with the goal of commercialization in 2025.

Korea Airports Corporation and Hanwha Systems are jointly developing a UAM traffic management system to analyze flight data—such as flight plan approval, traffic flow display, and expected route generation—for the safe operation of aircraft, and to demonstrate the construction of vertiports, area monitoring, and ground operations related to security and safety. The Korea Land and Geospatial Informatics Corporation is responsible for 3D map implementation, while the Korea Meteorological Industry & Technology Institute is conducting research on meteorological information for vertiports and UAM routes.

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