[Agile Electronics Story] SF Movies Become Reality... 'Drone Taxi' Coming Within Sight

Editor's Note‘Agile Electronics Stories’ is a corner that keenly examines small pieces of information about electronic and mechanical products and devices. From hot new products frequently appearing in advertisements and news, to nostalgic items, puzzling products, industry terms, and news, we will kindly cover them all with the heart of a beginner.

Physical model of the personal air vehicle (PAV) 'Butterfly' developed by Hanwha Systems [Image source=Yonhap News]

Do you remember the nostalgic item and personal flying vehicle, the "flying transportation means in the sky," often featured in science fiction (SF) movies, comics, and novels? It frequently appears in creative works depicting both positive and negative futures.

While cars powered by wheels and internal combustion engines represented the modern industrial revolution, flying transportation means that allow quick and easy arrival at destinations through the sky represent a more advanced vision of the future.

In the movie The Fifth Element, which depicts the 23rd century, 200 years from now, flying taxis appear. Some of you may recall American actor Bruce Willis playing the protagonist and taxi driver Korben Dallas, skillfully maneuvering the taxi through buildings in the air with acrobatic driving.

Domestic companies are also accelerating efforts to develop flying taxis, aiming for full-scale introduction around 2025 or 2026. In this edition of Agile Electronics Stories, we take a look at flying taxis and explore the current development status.

Urban Air Mobility (UAM) Business in Full Swing... Flying Taxis Begin with 'Drones'

Bird's-eye view of 'VertiHub' promoted by Hanwha Systems, Korea Airports Corporation, and Gimpo Airport [Image source=Yonhap News]

Globally, the Urban Air Mobility (UAM) business and development of Personal Air Vehicles (PAV) have already been in full swing. Metropolitan areas like Seoul always face ground traffic congestion, even outside rush hours, so alternatives are constantly needed.

As UAM system development accelerates domestically, companies are intensifying efforts to develop PAV utilization technologies, which are emerging as next-generation mobility. PAVs are mainly categorized into single-mode (flight only), dual-mode (road driving and flight), short takeoff and landing (STOL) similar to conventional aircraft, helicopters, and vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) types like drones.

First, drone taxis implementing vertical takeoff and landing with electric power are expected to mark the beginning of future taxis. Drone taxis do not require runways and use electric power, resulting in less noise. Domestic companies are pushing hard to introduce drone taxis targeting 2025?2026.

Drone taxis are expected to become the core of advanced technologies including aircraft bodies, batteries, and driving assistance technologies. Since they need to travel distances over 30 km at speeds faster than passenger cars, the industry sees battery technology and charging issues as challenges to be solved.

For this reason, Doosan Mobility Innovation (DMI), which was the first in the world to introduce a hydrogen fuel cell pack capable of 2-hour flight, plans to develop hydrogen fuel cell technologies for logistics and cargo carrying 5?15 kg loads, as well as large hydrogen fuel cells capable of carrying heavy loads of 100?200 kg for mid-to-long distance flights (100?400 km).

How Far Has South Korea Come? ... Commercialization Expected by 2030

Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport held an Urban Air Mobility (UAM) demonstration event on the 11th around the Mulbit Stage at Yeouido Hangang Park in Seoul. At this event, EHang's two-seater drone taxi 'EH216' from China is conducting a test flight.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport also formed the Korean Urban Air Mobility (K-UAM) industry-academia-research-government consortium called ‘UAM Team Korea’ last June to quickly catch up with advanced UAM countries and lead the related industry. Although there are slight differences among participating companies, UAM is generally expected to be commercialized by 2030.

In Seoul, a UAM business demonstration event was held on the 11th of this month, showcasing domestic and international drone taxis. It was an opportunity to check how far the related industries have progressed both domestically and internationally.

The aircraft demonstrated at the event was the Chinese company Ehang’s two-seater PAV 'EH 216.' EH 216 flew about 1.8 km for approximately 7 minutes at an altitude of 50 meters above sea level. Also exhibited was the 'HEXA,' a single-seat aircraft by Aircraft, participating in the U.S. Air Force demonstration project.

Although domestic companies’ drone taxis were not demonstrated, models were displayed showing potential. Models from Hyundai Motor Company and Hanwha Systems, leading the domestic PAV business, were exhibited.

Hanwha Systems, regarded as the most advanced domestically, plans to unveil the PAV 'Butterfly,' developed in partnership with the U.S. company Overair, around 2023. They also plan to launch UAM operation pilot services for the general public starting in 2026, gradually expanding service areas until 2029, aiming for commercialization.

Hyundai Motor Company introduced a scaled model of the S-A1, developed jointly with Uber in the U.S., and a hub (a terminal connecting UAM and conventional transportation).

How big will the PAV and UAM industries grow that companies are focusing their development capabilities? According to investment bank Morgan Stanley, although UAM-related businesses are still in the early stages, the global UAM market size is currently $7 billion (about 7.8 trillion KRW) but is expected to grow to $1.474 trillion (1,641.3 trillion KRW) by 2040.

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