[Science World] Flying Taxi, 'UAM' Steps Closer to Reality

An Era Where Cars Fly in the Sky Opens

Everyone has probably imagined at least once how wonderful it would be if cars could fly in the sky. This is expected to become practical in South Korea soon. The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced earlier last month that it has designated a 354,000㎡ area around Gimpo Airport in Gonghang-dong, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, as the ‘Gimpo Airport Urban Regeneration Innovation District’ and will begin full-scale development. The core of the project is to construct facilities ranging from four basement levels to eight above-ground floors by 2030. From the second basement to the first floor above ground, transfer facilities for public transportation such as taxis, buses, and subways will be installed. Above that, boarding and takeoff/landing facilities for ultra-small aircraft, so-called ‘Urban Air Mobility (UAM),’ will be added, with a vision to develop the facility into a next-generation ‘transportation hub.’

UAM, often called ‘air taxis,’ are small aircraft that typically carry no more than 7 to 8 passengers. They are often powered by electric motors instead of engines. Essentially, they are enlarged versions of commonly seen ‘drones’ that can carry people. With rapid advancements in related technologies, demonstration experiments are being actively conducted. While long-distance travel is challenging, short-distance travel within cities and their surrounding areas is feasible. The biggest advantage is the ability to move quickly while avoiding traffic congestion.

UAM began attracting attention in January 2020. At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) held in Las Vegas, USA, several global companies including Hyundai Motor Company announced plans to start UAM businesses, creating a buzz. In South Korea, Hyundai Motor, SK Telecom, and Hanwha are testing practical models. The Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) also unveiled a UAM prototype last year, notable for its quiet operation. The noise level at an altitude of 130 meters is 61.5 dBA (weighted decibels), which is quieter than a household ultrasonic humidifier (74 dBA).

So how will operations be conducted? A single living area will be divided into several zones, each with a ‘urban airport’ similar to the Gimpo Airport Innovation District. Although called ‘airports,’ large-scale facilities like runways are not necessary. It is sufficient to build takeoff and landing pads on the rooftops of large buildings and provide boarding areas on the floors below. Users can find the nearest urban airport from their current location and board a UAM on their desired route to fly to another urban airport within 20 minutes. Since only short-distance flights are possible, residents of the metropolitan area cannot fly directly to the Gyeongsang region. However, integrating with existing aviation systems or high-speed railways could bring about transportation innovation.

This kind of world will not be created simply by developing aircraft that can fly. First, related infrastructure must be established. For UAM services to take root, multiple urban airports need to be built in a city. Although still insufficient, more places are announcing plans to build urban airports. Laws and regulations also need to be revised. An integrated control center to manage hundreds to thousands of UAMs will be necessary, along with various support facilities such as hangars and charging stations. Social infrastructure such as maintenance systems, parts supply chains, and training institutions for maintenance personnel must also be established. Installing dedicated communication networks for control is essential.

Solving all these issues in a short period does not seem easy. However, UAM holds enough value to justify overcoming these challenges. Preparations for practical use by local governments and others are underway, and many predict that commercialization will occur sooner than expected. It is truly exciting to wonder how many years it will be before we can actually ride a ‘flying car’ in reality.

Jeon Seung-min, Science and Technology Writer · Editor-in-Chief of Popular Science