With the Consumer Electronics Show, or CES 2024, in full swing, automaker Hyundai’s air mobility arm, Supernal, has taken the opportunity to unveil its latest version of the flying taxi. The company plans to begin test flights as early as the end of this year while officially launching the eVTOL sometime in 2028.
What is Hyundai’s flying taxi?
The electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle known as the S-A2 is a hybrid between a helicopter and a fixed-wing airplane. Unlike conventional copters, the S-A2 is propelled by eight rotors mounted on two wings and is powered by electricity.
Hyundai first showcased its air taxi concept at CES back in 2020. The concept here is a more fleshed-out version of that model. In terms of design, the S-A2 looks similar to most air-taxi prototypes showcased earlier, including the egg-shaped cabin and the wing-mounted rotors. Speaking of which, all eight rotors tilt to provide lift for takeoff, landing, and movement once in the air.
Hyundai has loaded the aircraft with all kinds of redundant components, such as flight controls, powertrain, and avionics, all of which are critical safety systems required for commercial aviation.
According to Hyundai, the S-A2 is designed to cruise at 120 mph (193 kmph) at a height of 1,500 feet and is meant for travel between suburban areas and the inner city, a distance of 25-40 miles (40-65 km) to begin with. This is due to the current battery technology.
With the current state of batteries, the power-to-weight ratio (extremely important in a vehicle that has to be designed to fly) is skewed towards the not-so-great side of things. Heavy batteries mean more power is required for lift and propulsion, which in turn needs more energy from the said heavy batteries. However, Hyundai has said that they are putting a lot of focus on emerging battery technology, such as lighter solid-state batteries, and that the aircraft is designed to take full advantage of its development.
Another advantage that the eVTOL has over conventional helicopters is its near-silent operation. According to Hyundai, the S-A2 will “operate as quietly as a dishwasher.” The aircraft produces about 65 decibels during vertical take-off and just 45 decibels while cruising. For context, the S-A2 will be as loud as two people holding a normal conversation and as silent as the sound your refrigerator makes when operating normally.
Hyundai hasn’t ignored the interiors, either. The cabin looks cosy and features a modular design, leather upholstery, and lighting that enhances the space to make it appear larger than it is.
How long till we see taxis in the sky?
As far as production goes, Supernal intends to take full advantage of Hyundai Motor Group’s mass-manufacturing capabilities. But the road isn’t as clear as it seems. Before manufacturing begins, the company will have to go through a whole lot of approvals.
Hyundai has said that it intends to apply for certification in the US by mid-2024 and begin test flights by the end of the year. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), aviation companies need three types of certifications before they can operate commercially in the United States airspace.
The first is Type Certification, which means the aircraft meets all the design and safety protocols set in place by the FAA. The second is Production Certification, which allows the company to manufacture the approved parts for the aircraft. Finally, to begin commercial operations, the company must acquire an air carrier licence. This is a fairly lengthy process, but Hyundai is optimistic about a 2028 launch timeline.
A little bit of competition
The emerging industry has already seen a lot of turbulence, with several start-ups already going out of business. Notable among these was the Kitty Hawk Aviation Company, backed by Google co-founder Larry Page and founded by Sebastian Thrun, a.k.a. the godfather of self-driving cars. As of September 2022, the company has shut down. Its website reads, “Kitty Hawk has ceased operations. Thank you for your interest over the year.”
This hasn’t stopped major manufacturers from pursuing the 'flying car' segment. Stellantis, the owner of Fiat, Jeep, Maserati, and many other auto brands is committed to mass-producing for Archer Aviation. American airline United Airlines invested $15 million in an electric aviation start-up called Eve Air Mobility and even Boeing and NASA are in on the race.
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