Defence contractor Hanwha Systems has partnered with Korea Airport Corporation (KAC) to develop air taxis, and the ensuing infrastructure and services to form a consultative body called Urban Air Mobility Team Korea, reports Aju Business Daily.
The two companies have signed an Urban Air Mobility (UAM) business agreement to develop technologies relating to integrated monitoring, control, navigation, take-off/landing facilities and boarding services. They will also create step-by-step test beds for the demonstration of UAM operations.
While Hanwha develops the airframes for the aircraft, as well as the avionics technology, the infrastructure will be built by KAC, which manages and operates 14 airports. In addition to building landing pads for the air taxis, the company will also help develop a business model.
It follows an earlier announcement by the South Korean Government, which outlined a road map for the commercialisation of drone taxis in 2025 and autonomous flights in 2035. Some 40 companies, research groups and state bodies, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to implement the UAM map.
Hanwha CEO Kim Yeon-chul said the company aims to become a leading solution company in the global UAM market, adding, “We will create a successful UAM business model based on technologies and general experience from both companies.”
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