2022.11.21
Hyundai Motor to build air mobility ecosystem in Indonesia’s new capita
By Kim Da-sol, The Korea Herald
- Hyundai Motor Group on Monday unveiled a new ambitious plan to build an
ecosystem for advanced air mobility (AAM), including flying cars and related
infrastructure, in Indonesia’s new capital city of Nusantara that is currently
under construction.
The Korean auto giant signed a
memorandum of understanding with the Nusantara National Capital Authority for
the new project on the sidelines of the B-20 Summit Indonesia 2022, which is
taking place in Bali this week.
Earlier this year, the
Indonesian government announced a plan to move its capital from Jakarta on the
island of Java to Nusantara, a new forest city on the island of Borneo. Nearly
$33 billion will be spent on building the new metropolis, while the relocation
is expected to take almost a decade.
Under the agreement, the two
sides will work on issues such as establishing the concept of land-air mobility
integration, testing advanced air mobility vehicles, and building related
infrastructure and ecosystem.
“The introduction of AAM to the
new Indonesian capital means it is a ‘living laboratory,’ in line with the
authority of new Indonesian capital’s philosophy to create new culture of
learning, working and lifestyle,” said Bambang Susantono, head of the Nusantara
National Capital Authority.
“It is meaningful that we build
the new capital as a sustainable smart city in collaboration with Hyundai Motor
Group.”
Hyundai also expressed high
expectations for the new project, which aims to provide an efficient model for
the AMM ecosystem and ultimately enhance quality of life for residents of the
island.
The carmaker added that, based
on the achievements made in Indonesia, it would aim to create a broader AAM
ecosystem around the world.
“We see the latest MOU with the
Indonesian government as the first step to realizing Hyundai Motor Group’s
vision and promise for a safe and innovative AAM system,” said Shin Jae-won,
Hyundai Motor Group president in charge of AAM.
Earlier this year, Hyundai
unveiled a vision for AAM that introduced its concept of urban air mobility and
regional air mobility and set out a development road map for eco-friendly
aircraft.
By 2028, it aims to begin the
commercial service of UAM vehicles in the US via its aviation affiliate
Supernal.