The Three Major Telecom Companies Open Sky Routes with 'Air Taxi'... Participating in K-UAM Grand Challenge

Preparing for Commercialization in 2025 After Completing Phase 2 Demonstration

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Su-yeon] The three major telecom companies are launching the commercialization of Urban Air Mobility (UAM), commonly known as 'air taxis.' They are preparing for commercialization in 2025 by participating in the 'K-UAM Grand Challenge' demonstration project.

On the 22nd, the three telecom companies each formed a consortium and signed a business agreement to participate in the K-UAM Grand Challenge hosted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

Joby Aviation UAM Aircraft
[Photo by SKT]

UAM is an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) based air mobility service powered by electricity. It can take off and land vertically without a runway in urban areas and can be linked with various ground transportation modes, making it a future eco-friendly mobility option.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will promote the demonstration project in two phases. Phase 1 involves building a dedicated UAM test site, operation system, and communication network at the National Comprehensive Flight Performance Test Site in Goheung, Jeollanam-do, to verify aircraft safety and the integrated operability of UAM components. Phase 2 plans to conduct demonstrations in urban areas in 2024. The goal is to commercialize UAM in 2025.

The 'K-UAM Dream Team,' consisting of SK Telecom, Korea Airports Corporation, and Hanwha Systems, will comprehensively verify the core elements of UAM operations ahead of commercialization. SKT leads the aircraft and operation sectors, Korea Airports Corporation leads the vertiport (UAM dedicated takeoff and landing site) sector, and Hanwha Systems leads the traffic management sector. SKT will verify safety using actual UAM aircraft from its strategic partner, global UAM company Joby Aviation. They will also test communication quality at flight altitudes of 300 to 600 meters using a 4G/5G-based UAM specialized airspace network. In cooperation with T Map Mobility, they are developing a Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) platform that connects UAM and ground transportation into a single service.

Additionally, they will showcase UAM services and technologies at MWC23 held in Barcelona, Spain, on the 27th. They will provide a virtual experience of UAM services from reservation to boarding and introduce technologies such as the UAM flight management system and specialized airspace communication network.

KT is participating in the demonstration project by forming a consortium with Hyundai Motor and Hyundai Construction. They plan to conduct demonstration flights in the first half of 2024. KT will verify the UAM communication environment and integrate and demonstrate the UAM Traffic Management (UATM) system and UAM data-sharing platform in an integrated operational environment. Furthermore, KT plans to apply its artificial intelligence (AI) and 5G communication technologies to UAM traffic control and airspace communication networks to enhance flight safety and continuously prepare the technologies necessary for UAM commercialization.

LG Uplus formed the consortium 'UAM Future Team' last May with Kakao Mobility, GS Construction, and Vertical Aerospace. They will conduct Phase 1 demonstrations next July, focusing on aircraft safety, integrated operability, and noise measurement. LG Uplus is developing the communication-based traffic management platform UATM, an essential platform for the UAM business. It is an intelligent platform that provides automated traffic management services such as flight plan analysis and approval, traffic flow management, collision management, corridor deviation monitoring, and operation information sharing. Through this, pilots and controllers communicate in real time and respond immediately to emergencies, ensuring that UAM can operate safely in urban areas.