[CES 2024] Supernal, Future Mobility Right Before Your Eyes

# A massive aircraft appeared at the Las Vegas Convention Center event venue in the United States, where the world's largest electronics and IT exhibition CES 2024 is being held. The exhibition hall, which faithfully reproduces a full-scale vertiport (vertical takeoff and landing airfield), features the 'S-A2' aircraft, an Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) vehicle created by Hyundai Motor Group's Supernal, rotating 360 degrees. Standing in front of a large screen with the sky as the background, the aircraft gives the illusion of flying over the skies of LA. Jaewon Shin, Head of Hyundai Motor's AAM Division and CEO of Supernal, said, "The unveiling of the S-A2 represents Supernal and Hyundai Motor Group's commitment to leading the paradigm shift in future mobility," introducing a new AAM aircraft that will open the era of future mobility.

On the 9th (local time), Supernal, Hyundai Motor Group's independent future air mobility subsidiary, unveiled the next-generation AAM 'S-A2' physical model for the first time in the world at CES 2024 held in Las Vegas, USA. Scheduled for commercialization in 2028, the S-A2 can carry five people including the pilot and can fly over 60 km on a single charge.

The 'S-A2' physical model unveiled this time is a newly introduced model, four years after the vision concept 'S-A1' was revealed by Hyundai Motor Group at CES 2020. During CES, Supernal set up an exhibition space outside the Las Vegas Convention Center reminiscent of a full-scale vertiport.

Actual model of the S-A2 aircraft unveiled by Supernal [Photo by Hyundai Motor Company]

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The S-A2 is an aircraft with a length of 10 meters and a wingspan of 15 meters, capable of carrying five people including the pilot. It uses a 'tilt rotor' propulsion system where the rotating blades, or rotors, tilt up and down by 90 degrees depending on the situation. This method is a proprietary technology first introduced by Supernal in the industry. During vertical takeoff and landing, the rotors face vertically to generate lift (a force acting perpendicular to the direction of motion), and when flying forward, they smoothly transition to face forward. Additionally, multiple rotors operate independently so that even if one rotor encounters a problem, safe takeoff and landing are still possible. The goal is to fly approximately 60 km at a speed of 200 km/h at an altitude of 400 to 500 meters.

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The design of the aircraft unveiled this time was completed through collaboration between Supernal and Hyundai Motor·Kia Global Design Headquarters. Supernal handled engineering and integrated aircraft design, while the interior and exterior styling was led by Luke Donkerwolke, Chief Creative Officer (CCO) of Hyundai Motor·Kia, and the Global Design Headquarters.

Notably, the design details go beyond concept to consider actual operation. The aircraft is made of lightweight carbon fiber, and the seats are designed to absorb shocks during vertical flight. The interior space eliminates any sense of confinement by actively utilizing abundant lighting and translucent materials. The air conditioning system is designed so that air from vents hidden in the ceiling naturally circulates along the inner walls. Furthermore, the passenger seats in the S-A2 can be freely reconfigured, as the interior space needs to be changed frequently depending on the purpose of use, such as passenger or cargo transport.

Actual model of the S-A2 aircraft unveiled by Supernal
[Photo by Hyundai Motor Company]

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Supernal plans to mass-produce the aircraft and secure price competitiveness by comprehensively utilizing its power electric (PE) system development capabilities for electric vehicles and automated production technologies. To develop batteries for AAM that are both lightweight and safe, Supernal's research and development (R&D) division will continue collaborating with Hyundai Motor·Kia Battery Development Center and Hyundai Mobis.

Additionally, Supernal will establish a foundation for AAM commercialization by forming strategic partnerships with top-tier global aerospace industry players. It will jointly develop unmanned flight control systems with BAE Systems, Europe's largest defense company, and collaborate with aircraft parts manufacturer GKN Aerospace on lightweight aircraft structures and electrical wiring systems. For safe operation of the aircraft, Supernal plans to work with NASA and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to develop airspace management systems and traffic management measures related to AAM operations.

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