Hyundai Motor Collaborates with UK Mobility Company to Develop UAM Infrastructure

Focused on Developing Scalable UAM Infrastructure in Urban Areas
MOU Signed for UAM Research with Two UK Cities

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun is inspecting Hyundai Motor Company's Urban Air Mobility (UAM) S-A1 at the 'Hydrogen Mobility+ Show' held on the 1st at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. Photo by Kim Hyun-min, Goyang kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] Hyundai Motor Company is accelerating the development of infrastructure related to Urban Air Mobility (UAM), considered a key pillar of its future mobility vision, by partnering with a UK mobility company.

According to Hyundai Motor on the 6th, Hyundai Motor's UAM division recently formed a partnership with the UK-based 'Urban Airport' to collaborate on the development of flying car prototypes and UAM infrastructure. Through this cooperation, both companies will focus on developing UAM infrastructure within urban areas that features multiple functions and scalability. To this end, they also signed memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with cities such as West Midlands and Coventry in the UK for related research.

Urban Airport is known to have secured technology capable of building UAM infrastructure that reduces installation space by 60% compared to existing helipads. In particular, its modular structure is cited as an advantage, enabling not only price competitiveness but also rapid installation of infrastructure. Since the construction of ground infrastructure serving as takeoff and landing sites for flying cars is considered a core pillar of the UAM business, this collaboration carries significant meaning.

Earlier this year, Hyundai announced in its '2025 Strategy' that it plans to invest $1.5 billion (approximately 1.8 trillion KRW) in the UAM business over the next five years. It also shared plans to create aerial vehicles and a mobility ecosystem to operate the UAM business. This collaboration is interpreted as part of that future mobility blueprint.

This project was led by Pamela Cone, Executive Director of Global Strategy and Operations at Hyundai Motor's UAM division. Cone, the founder of the US aviation consulting firm 'Ascension Global,' joined Hyundai Motor Group in January. She stated, "Without investment in building a future mobility ecosystem, UAM is nothing more than a flying science project," adding, "I am pleased that through cooperation with Urban Airport and the UK community, we can embark on research into future UAM infrastructure."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.