Urban-Air Port Funded by Hyundai’s Supernal: Integrating AAM into Transit Networks

Urban-Air Port Funded by Hyundai’s Supernal: Integrating AAM into Transit Networks

urban air-port fundedBritish Start-up Secures Landmark Investment from Supernal: Urban-Air Port Funded by Supernal



by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian M. Crosby



Today, British start-up Urban-Air Port Ltd (UAP) revealed that it has acquired funding from Supernal (formerly the Urban Air Mobility Division of Hyundai Motor Group) to carry out the companies’ shared goal of assimilating advanced air mobility (AAM) into existing transit networks. The funding will go towards UAP’s undertaking to develop 200 vertiport sites worldwide over the course of the next five years.



UAP’s vertiport sites will grant the infrastructure necessary to help prepare for the mass adoption of eVTOL aircraft like cargo drones and air taxis. Air-One, the world’s first fully operational hub for eVTOLs, will open for public visitation this coming April in Coventry City Centre. The demonstration will showcase AAM’s ability to help unlock the potential of sustainable mobility, as well as how the industry will work to help reduce congestion, cut air pollution and decarbonise transport.



Urban Air-Port Funded, Supported with Supernal Cooperation



This landmark investment marks the first time a major eVTOL company has invested in an AAM ground infrastructure developer. Additionally, Urban-Air Port has named Adam Slepian, Supernal’s Global Head of Partnerships & Business Development, to its board of directors, effective immediately, with Matthew Sattler, Supernal’s Head of Infrastructure and Ecosystems Partnerships, joining UAP’s board of advisors. The two companies’ close cooperation guarantees the sharing of knowledge and expertise across two critical components of the industry.



The urban air mobility sector is estimated to increase by 9% annually, with a projected US$12.7 billion by 2027 and up to US$1 trillion in the next 20 years. However, a lack of ground infrastructure remains one of the largest hurdles for the growth of the AAM industry. Only 3% of last year’s industry investment (US$150 million) was in the physical ground infrastructure, despite 33 times that figure (US$5 billion) announced for the development of eVTOL vehicles in the same period.



Supernal is bringing together public and private stakeholders to shape the AAM industry going forward. The company is also in the process of developing its own proprietary eVTOL, with plans to launch its first commercial flight in 2028. Supernal’s investment in UAP will help support the development of UAP’s new “vertiport” models, such as the CityBox delivery drone hub, as well as expansion into new markets.



“Cars need roads. Trains need rails. Planes need airports. eVTOLs need Urban-Air Ports. Despite the unparalleled potential of eVTOL aircraft to revolutionize mobility, the importance of the ground infrastructure that enables them is too often overlooked,” said Urban-Air Port Founder and Executive Chairman Ricky Sandhu. “With Supernal’s investment and expertise and connection to Hyundai Motor Group, we can supercharge the rollout of sustainable, intermodal and scalable ground infrastructure that will unleash the future of advanced air mobility globally.”



“We are assembling a group of aligned financial and corporate venture capital investors that will extend our leadership,” Sandhu continued. “I look forward to welcoming further investors into UAP.”



“At Supernal, we are on a mission to transform how people and society move, connect, and live; therefore, it is essential we not only develop electric air vehicles, but also help shape the broader advanced air mobility market from the ground up,” said Jaiwon Shin, CEO of Supernal and President of Hyundai Motor Group. “We are pleased to continue working with Urban-Air Port and support its efforts to create ground infrastructure that works seamlessly with eVTOLs and integrates the advanced air mobility industry with existing modes of transportation.”



Read more about Hyundai’s AAM commitments: Uber and Hyundai, the launch of Supernal, eVTOL operational hubs, and work on unmanned traffic management.



Ian attended Dominican University of California, where he received a BA in English in 2019. With a lifelong passion for writing and storytelling and a keen interest in technology, he is now contributing to DroneLife as a staff writer.





Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry.  Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.



TWITTER:@spaldingbarker



Subscribe to DroneLife here.


https://skydanceimaging.com/urban-air-port-funded-by-hyundais-supernal-integrating-aam-into-transit-networks/

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

DJI Mini 2 Errors: What They Mean (And How to Fix Them) | Droneblog

Image
Nothing brings a drone operator down quicker (pun intended) than bad weather and drone error codes.  We wait until it gets better with the weather, eventually, although our highly anticipated day of flying is ruined.  However, drone error codes can be more than simply waiting out the issue or hoping it resolves itself. Error codes and the inability to fly the DJI Mini 2 because of these errors can be a nuisance, but, when those codes are decoded, explained, and suggestions on how to fix the issue come to the fore, things get easier. We’ll be looking at a laundry list of DJI Mini 2 error codes, what they mean, and the steps to fix them.  The codes will be listed numerically to locate specific codes easier within the article. These codes are: Code 10001Code 10016Code 10022Code 10023Code 30007Code 30008Code 30047Code 30049Code 30050Code 30055Code 30060Code 30064 Code 30085Code 30105Code 30168Code 30210Code 30224Code 30226Code 40002Code 40011Code 40012Code 40021Code 180016Code 180030Code 1...
Read more

DJI Transmission System (Everything You Need to Know)

Image
An essential feature behind a DJI drone that is often overlooked is the drone transmission system. I have personally flown multiple DJI drones from different generations, and I can say – good heavens, what a difference! DJI drones usually have the OcuSync transmission system, which is unique and proprietary to DJI. The transmission module is installed on all DJI drones and cannot be upgraded or changed, but it comes in different versions. And the flight range, penetration, controller compatibility, and a few more factors depend on it. Here, I’ll share with you everything you need to know about the DJI transmission system, why it matters, the difference between them, and how we can identify one. Behind DJI OcuSync: Factors & Analysis A transmission system in a drone is one of the most critical parts without which a drone cannot fly at all. It simply cannot make a connection between a drone remote controller and the drone itself. In consumer DJI drones, we have the OcuSy...
Read more

Autel EVO 2 Pro: 3 Most-Common Problems (With Solutions) | Droneblog

Image
The Autel EVO 2 Pro drone is a very powerful drone with many features, but it does have a few drawbacks that I have found while using it. Despite the issues I have experienced, the Autel EVO 2 Pro is still a great drone that I would recommend to anyone looking for a foldable drone with a 20MP camera. While the Autel EVO 2 Pro is a strong drone model overall, there are a few areas of weakness. The controller, lack of accessories, and flight characteristics could use some work on Autel’s end to get this drone to the top of its class. Even with the problems I have experienced, there are still many ways to fly the EVO 2 Pro issue-free. Let’s take a closer look at some of the issues you might experience and ways to work around them to get the footage you’re looking for. 1. Autel EVO 2 controller issues As a professional drone operator, I have used a few different drone controllers and think the controller that comes with the EVO 2 Pro is just too small and not balanced properly. Let’s discu...
Read more