[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Su-yeon] SK Telecom is actively supporting the bid to host the Busan Expo by utilizing Urban Air Mobility (UAM), and after securing the bid, it will work to realize a Net Zero Expo using UAM.
SK Telecom, Hanwha Systems, Korea Airports Corporation, and T map Mobility signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for UAM business cooperation to support the Busan World Expo bid with the Busan World Expo Bid Committee on the 6th.
Yu Sang-yong, CEO of SK Telecom, stated, “We will actively support SKT’s capabilities so that the 2030 Busan World Expo can solve humanity’s problems and present a new vision for the future,” adding, “We will make it the first ‘Net Zero’ Expo with zero carbon emissions by utilizing UAM, an innovative future transportation means.”
UAM is an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL)-based air mobility service powered by electricity. It is an eco-friendly mode of transportation that can take off and land vertically without a runway in urban areas and can be linked with ground transportation.
The four companies, including SKT, plan to actively promote the vision of the Busan Expo to solve environmental and social issues through technology via the UAM business at domestic and international events such as the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) on-site inspection in Korea and the ‘Climate Industry International Expo.’
Specifically, during the BIE’s on-site inspection in Korea scheduled for April this year, they plan to showcase a UAM exhibition. Through UAM, they aim to introduce Korea’s information and communication technology (ICT) and innovative mobility technology to BIE officials and garner sympathy for the Busan Expo theme, “The Great Transformation of the World, Sailing Toward a Better Future.”
Additionally, at the ‘Climate Industry International Expo’ held in Busan in May, UAM technology and services will be exhibited in a special Expo pavilion prepared to promote the Busan Expo bid. As key figures from various countries are expected to visit, they plan to introduce Korea’s UAM services to them and actively promote the Busan Expo.
In particular, Korea Airports Corporation will support the Expo bid by leveraging its global aviation industry network, and T map Mobility will present a future transportation vision based on its mobility data and platform operation capabilities. Hanwha Systems will participate in developing a Busan Expo-specialized UAM route connecting major Busan hubs and the Expo site, as well as navigation control solutions, if the Expo bid is successful.
SKT previously received positive responses by presenting Korea’s UAM technology and the future mobility vision that the Busan Expo will bring to visitors using a UAM virtual experience simulator at the ‘Busan International Motor Show’ in July last year and the ‘International Consumer Electronics Show (CES)’ held in Las Vegas, USA, in January this year.
SKT is actively promoting the UAM business to commercialize Korea’s Urban Air Mobility (K-UAM). SKT formed the ‘K-UAM Dream Team Consortium’ with Korea Airports Corporation, Hanwha Systems, and others, and will participate in the first phase of the ‘K-UAM Grand Challenge,’ a UAM demonstration project led by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport starting this year.
Additionally, last month, SKT held a meeting between executives of both companies in the U.S. with Joby Aviation, a global UAM company and strategic partner in the UAM business. The two companies are accelerating cooperation in the UAM business by discussing ways to successfully carry out Korea’s UAM demonstration project and collaborate for future UAM commercialization.
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