ANN/THE KOREA HERALD – Hyundai Motor and Kia unveiled their advanced air mobility solutions in Indonesia on Monday, demonstrating a flying aircraft and ride-hailing process at Samarinda Airport in East Kalimantan.
The event, attended by officials from Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation and the Nusantara Capital City Authority, highlighted how the ride-pooling app Shucle and specialised aircraft could be adapted to meet local needs and enhance future mobility options.
The presentation included a demonstration of Shucle’s capabilities for booking, calling, and paying for rides, whether on land or in the air. Hyundai Motor’s electric bus, specifically tailored for this event, was also showcased, illustrating how it could transport passengers to the hangar.
For the aerial demonstration, Hyundai and Kia utilised the Korea Aerospace Research Institute’s Optionally Piloted Personal Air Vehicle (OPPAV), with Hyundai Motor and Kia contributing to the development of the vehicle’s electrified powertrain. The OPPAV successfully completed a two-kilometre flight along a pre-approved route and landed safely.
Given Indonesia’s vast archipelago of 18,000 islands, the country is seen as having significant potential for advanced aerial mobility solutions due to the challenges associated with land transport.
Hyundai Motor also presented a scaled model of the S-A2 aircraft, first introduced at CES 2024 in Las Vegas earlier this year. The S-A2, developed by Supernal—a US-based Hyundai Motor subsidiary—aims to offer commercial flying taxi services by 2028. Indonesian officials expressed interest in the S-A2, inquiring about its design and performance.
Kim Cheol-ung, Vice President and AAM Business Development Officer at Hyundai Motor Group, noted, “For the air mobility sector to establish itself, it is essential to develop the aircraft and foster collaboration across the aviation industry.”
He added, “Supernal, Hyundai Motor, and Kia will continue their research and development efforts towards commercialising AAM by 2028, while strengthening strategic partnerships with the Indonesian government and other institutions to shape the future AAM ecosystem.”
In November 2022, Hyundai Motor signed a memorandum of understanding with the Nusantara National Capital Authority to build an advanced aerial mobility ecosystem. This followed Indonesia’s announcement of a ten-year plan to relocate its capital from Jakarta to Nusantara.
