Hyundai Motor Group’s Urban Air Mobility Division is to work with drone operations and traffic management specialist Anra Technologies to develop the operating environment for planned eVTOL aircraft services. The South Korean automotive group said that today’s announced partnership will be the first in a series of alliances that its U.S.-based subsidiary establishes to develop the so-called advanced air mobility (AAM) ecosystem.
Back in January 2020, Hyundai announced a $1.5 billion investment in the AAM sector, including plans to bring the SA-1 eVTOL aircraft to market by 2028. At the time, the company was one of several eVTOL aircraft developers selected by ride-hailing group Uber for its planned Uber Elevate platform, which since then got sold to Joby Aviation.
Through the partnership, Anra will provide strategic input for Hyundai’s concept of operations for AAM airspace management and ground mobility integration. The two companies said they will identify research opportunities to support regulatory decisions and advance infrastructure projects.
Anra Technologies develops air traffic management solutions for operators of unmanned air vehicles and airspace managers through its SmartSkies portfolio. It also provides mission management systems to support drone operations and now intends to apply this expertise to eVTOL aircraft operations, even though these are largely expected to be piloted initially.
“We are pleased to partner with Anra Technologies to begin building toward a safe and efficient integration of AAM into existing airspace,” said Pamela Cohn, chief operating officer of Hyundai’s Urban Air Mobility Division. “As an emerging mobility solution, it is critical diverse parties work together to co-create the AAM ecosystem, including its necessary digital and physical infrastructure. Anra brings a unique background of operational history in the drone services sector that will help define the operating environment for all AAM vehicles.”
