[CES 2024] Shin Jaewon "AAM Development Schedule Is Not Delayed... Safety Is the Top Priority"

Jaewon Shin, Head of Hyundai Motor Company's Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Division and CEO of Supernal, emphasized the importance of safety in response to criticisms that their AAM development schedule is behind competitors. He stated, "I do not think we are late at all."

On the 9th (local time), Shin spoke in an interview following the 2024 CES Supernal media conference held in Las Vegas, USA. He said, "If commercialization safety standards are not met, users will not ride," adding, "Infrastructure must be developed alongside, but the pace of infrastructure construction is not keeping up with the pace of aircraft development." He further noted, "2028 is the most optimal time for AAM commercialization."

At the event, Supernal unveiled the full-scale model of the next-generation AAM ‘S-A2’, which is being developed with a commercialization target of 2028, for the first time in the world. Shin predicted that the AAM market will grow very rapidly. Amid these changes, he expressed confidence that Hyundai Motor Group and Supernal, which possess mass production technology, will become dominant players in the market.

Shin said, "Once people confirm safety and convenience, the market will become popular quite quickly," adding, "To prepare for this, we must be able to mass-produce with high quality, and currently, Supernal, collaborating with Hyundai Motor Group, will have a very distinctive competitive edge."

Regarding competitors such as those from China, he expressed confidence in maintaining superiority in terms of safety and efficiency. Shin stated, "The two-seater aircraft being developed by Chinese companies do not have significant business potential," and added, "The market winner will be determined by efficiency and safety."

Jae-won Shin, Head of AAM Division at Hyundai Motor Company and CEO of Supernal
[Photo by Hyundai Motor Company]

He predicted that while AAM usage and aircraft costs will be high in the early market stages, prices will stabilize as the market becomes more widespread. Shin mentioned, "The initial usage fee will be expensive, but as the number of users increases, costs will decrease," and noted, "The current average price of aircraft in the market is $3 million (approximately 4 billion KRW)."

Regarding the most challenging aspect of aircraft development, he pointed to the development of batteries suitable for air mobility. Shin said, "Since this is a completely new aircraft that has never existed before, it is like an innovation in the aviation sector," adding, "Further development of aviation batteries for electrification is still needed and is the most difficult."

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