Hyundai’s Urban Air Mobility initiative is centered around its personal air vehicles (PAVs).
On display at the recent Consumer Electronics Show (CES) convention in Las Vegas, the PAV is part of Hyundai’s integrated concept of PAVs, dedicated terminals or hubs, and local ground transportation for the quick ride from the hub to the passenger’s destination.
In a recent statement, Hyundai said the concept “aims to free future cities and people from constraints of time and space and allow them to create more value in their lives.”
Hyundai says the eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft would have an operational range of 60 miles but would also be able to recharge its batteries in about 7 minutes, less time than it would take to unload and load passengers.
Initially, the five-person “flying car” would carry a pilot and four passengers, however, Hyundai sees the craft becoming fully autonomous (no pilot needed) once the operational and guidance technologies have been proven.
Uber has aligned itself with several PAV developers, with the objective of being able to offer on-demand Uber service via flying car concepts.
Hyundai, however, has proposed a total solution including Purpose Built (ground) Vehicles (PBVs) to shuttle passengers to their destinations after arriving at the PAV hub.
Uber wants to start test flights this year—2020!