SKT, which is pushing for the commercialization of domestic UAM by 2025, is launching a UAM business with local governments in the Chungcheong region, encompassing Sejong, Daejeon, Chungbuk, and Chungnam.

The 'K-UAM Dream Team' consortium (hereinafter referred to as the Dream Team), consisting of SK Telecom, Korea Airports Corporation, Hanwha Systems, and TMAP Mobility, signed a business agreement on the 25th with Sejong Special Self-Governing City (Mayor Choi Min-ho), Daejeon Metropolitan City (Mayor Lee Jang-woo), North Chungcheong Province (Governor Kim Young-hwan), and South Chungcheong Province (Governor Kim Tae-heum) to promote the Chungcheong region's ultra-regional UAM (Urban Air Mobility) project.

Dream Team has been strengthening cooperation with local governments by successively announcing UAM business collaborations with Jeju Island in September of last year, Daegu City in October, and Gyeongsangnam-do in May of this year. With the establishment of a cooperation system with local governments in the Pan-Chungcheong region, including Sejong, Daejeon, Chungbuk, and Chungnam, Dream Team expects domestic UAM commercialization to gain further momentum.

To promote the Chungcheong region's UAM project, the Dream Team and local governments in the region have decided to identify ultra-regional UAM routes and develop services that enable convenient and rapid movement within the area. In addition, it was decided to proceed with pilot projects aimed at utilizing UAM not only as a means of transportation but also for various purposes such as emergency medical services, public services, cargo transport, and tourism.

In particular, it was decided to devise measures for mutual growth and cooperation with companies based in the Chungcheong region to foster the UAM ecosystem. They also plan to cooperate on joint technology development and workforce training to ensure that UAM establishes itself as a representative mode of transportation in the region.

To this end, SKT is responsible for operating comprehensive AI-based UAM services, establishing a dedicated UAM airspace communication network, and introducing aircraft, while Korea Airports Corporation is responsible for establishing UAM vertiports and providing UAM traffic management services utilizing navigation facility infrastructure.

Hanwha Systems will be responsible for UAM airframe development, operation, manufacturing, and maintenance (MRO) and supplying and providing UAM traffic management solutions, while TMAP Mobility will be responsible for developing and operating a Mobility as a Service (MaaS) platform that links UAM with ground transportation.

Local governments in the Chungcheong region will secure infrastructure, such as UAM operation sites and facilities, and provide administrative support for business promotion, including licensing and permits. They also plan to integrate UAM with ground transportation and strive to secure acceptance within local communities.

SKT, which unveiled its vision of becoming a 'Global AI Company' on the 26th of last month, is pursuing the UAM business to realize 'AI Transformation (AIX),' which increases industrial productivity and efficiency by introducing AI. SKT plans to actively utilize AI to introduce personalized services linked with ground transportation and unmanned autonomous flight to UAM in the future.

In particular, last June, the company made a $100 million equity investment in global UAM aircraft manufacturer Joby Aviation, securing the exclusive right to use Joby aircraft in the Korean market. In September, it signed a cooperation agreement with Joby for domestic UAM demonstration projects and commercialization, completing preparations to bring Joby aircraft into the country next year.

SK Telecom CEO Yoo Young-sang stated, “UAM is garnering attention not only for resolving urban traffic congestion but also as a wide-area mobility solution connecting adjacent regions,” adding, “Based on safe UAM services and AI technology, SKT will usher in the era of wide-area UAM in the central region, the backbone of Korea’s transportation.”