[Asia Economy Reporter Suyeon Woo] Hyundai Motor Company is accelerating the commercialization of Urban Air Mobility (UAM) by starting the development of a medium-sized cargo transport unmanned aerial vehicle.
On the 8th, Hyundai Motor announced its plan to develop an unmanned aerial vehicle for cargo transport as part of its Air Cargo business and stated that it will begin identifying excellent domestic partner companies ahead of the full-scale project launch.
Based on the commercialization plan for urban air mobility unveiled last year, Hyundai plans to introduce the cargo transport 'Cargo UAS' by 2026 before mass-producing UAM aircraft. Through this, the company aims to rapidly accumulate know-how in UAM mass production technology, establish an unmanned aerial transport industry ecosystem early, and lead commercialization. Hyundai plans to reveal the technical concept for the cargo transport unmanned aerial vehicle in the first half of next year.
The 'Cargo UAS' unmanned aerial vehicle for cargo transport, whose development plan Hyundai announced, differs from existing small cargo transport drones by being a fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle with wings designed to carry medium-sized cargo. To enhance usability in urban areas, it adopts a vertical takeoff and landing method.
The introduction of the 'Cargo UAS,' capable of medium-distance transport of medium-sized cargo, can be utilized in the high-speed transport sector of medium-sized cargo between cities, which was difficult to satisfy with existing road and waterway infrastructure. It is expected to increase accessibility to air transport means mainly used for long-distance logistics and lay the foundation for innovation in urban logistics services.
Additionally, through the development of cargo transport unmanned aerial vehicles, Hyundai plans to establish new business and certification systems in the aviation mobility sector and proactively lead the urban air mobility (UAM) market.
In this regard, until the 22nd of this month, Hyundai will accept development participation applications through its official website from domestic companies related to aircraft design, testing, certification, manufacturing, control, and avionics fields, and will distribute an RFI (Request for Information). An online briefing session will also be held on the 12th via a website announcement for companies that have completed the preliminary participation application.
A Hyundai official said, "Experience in developing cargo transport unmanned aerial vehicles will greatly help with regulatory certification and infrastructure expansion ahead of the commercialization of urban air mobility," adding, "We expect to discover excellent companies through this opportunity and expand the base of domestic aviation technology through continuous collaboration."
Hyundai plans to build a rapid and efficient mass production system from the early stages of development by enabling excellent domestic aviation companies to participate in the Air Cargo aircraft development, thereby promoting innovation and synergy effects in the domestic aviation industry.
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