Hyundai Motor and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) have joined hands to develop future air mobility aircraft (AAM) that fly on electricity. Hyundai Motor plans to deliver a new air mobility vehicle based on expertise in AAM powertrains, while KAI will focus on airframe design and aviation certification procedures.
Hyundai Motor and KAI said on the 10th that they signed a memorandum of understanding for joint AAM development at the Seocho headquarters in Seoul on the 8th. Twelve people attended the signing, including KAI President Kim Jong-chul and Hyundai Motor Group Vice Chairman Chang Jae-hoon. The two companies plan to expand collaboration by identifying new areas of cooperation across future air mobility.
First, KAI will jointly carry out AAM design with Supernal, Hyundai Motor Group's U.S. subsidiary, and cooperate on commercializing the aviation electrified powertrain that Hyundai Motor Group is developing. Supernal is an independent entity for Hyundai Motor Group's urban air mobility development. At CES 2024, it unveiled the S-A2 air taxi.
KAI also plans to leverage its aircraft certification experience to meet global aviation certification procedures. KAI has developed and exported domestic aircraft such as the KF-21 Korean fighter and the Surion Korean helicopter, carrying out aviation certification processes in multiple countries.
Vice Chairman Chang Jae-hoon said, "We will showcase safe and appealing future air mobility and broaden the horizon of mobility to the skies."
President Kim Jong-chul said, "We expect to develop a K-AAM that will lead the global market," adding, "Cooperation between the two companies will be an important driving force steering the global civil mobility market."