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Hyundai forms Urban Air Mobility Division

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s a… Hyundai.


Well, there aren't any flying Hyundais yet. But the Korean automaker has established an Urban Air Mobility Division, appointing aeronautics engineer Dr. Jaiwon Shin as the head.

While other automakers are thinking laterally about the future of transportation, looking at ride-sharing services and autonomous vehicles, Hyundai is thinking vertically.

The automaker expects urban air mobility to "become a critically important part of the integrated mobility solution for ever-increasing traffic problems in mega cities around the world".

Hyundai hasn't announced any specific goals for its nascent division yet, merely that it’ll aim to provide innovative mobility solutions. Fingers crossed those goals will eventually lead to hover cars à la The Fifth Element or Back To The Future II. We can dream.

On his new role at Hyundai, Dr Shin said, "The new team at Hyundai will develop core technologies that will establish the company as a driving force in urban air mobility, a sector that is expected to grow into a market worth US$1.5 trillion within the next 20 years."

Dr Shin knows a thing or two about flight. He led the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate at NASA for 11 years, shaping their aeronautics research and development strategy and directing investments in aircraft electrification and urban air mobility.

He also served as co-chair of the White House National Science and Technology Council’s Aeronautics, Science and Technology Subcommittee.

Though Hyundai aims to provide mobility solutions “never seen or thought of before”, it’s possible the output of the new division will be less sci-fi hover car and more autonomous drone.

German company Volocopter is already prototyping an autonomous flying taxi and attracted an investment from Daimler. Audi and Airbus have also partnered on a similar project.

As for those who like to drive and fly themselves, Terrafugia is still working on bringing their Transition 'roadable' aeroplane to production. Chinese conglomerate Geely purchased the company in 2017.

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