Hyundai Motor and Kia, South Korea’s leading automotive companies, introduced their integrated air taxi service technology in Indonesia on Monday. The demonstration, which took place at Samarinda Airport in East Kalimantan under the Shucle program, showcased the companies’ advanced air mobility solutions.
During the event, Hyundai and Kia displayed a flying aircraft and detailed the ride-hailing process to the public.
Officials from Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation and the Nusantara Capital City Authority attended the event, which highlighted the adaptability of the ride-pooling app Shucle and specialized aircraft to local requirements. The automakers showcased how Shucle can be used to book, summon, and pay for both ground and air transportation services, demonstrating its potential to improve future mobility options.
The mobility service app allows users to book rides on various transport modes, including bikes, buses, kickboards, and taxis. The demonstration included a practical application in which attendees used Shucle to hail Hyundai’s County Electric minibus, illustrating the seamless integration of ground and air mobility services.
Hyundai Motor’s electric bus, specially designed for the event, transported passengers to the hangar during the presentation, demonstrating the seamless integration of ground and air mobility services.
For the aerial demonstration, Hyundai and Kia showcased the Korea Aerospace Research Institute’s Optionally Piloted Personal Air Vehicle (OPPAV), which features an electrified powertrain developed by both companies.
The OPPAV successfully completed a flight of about two kilometers along a predefined route, highlighting the potential for advanced air mobility solutions in Indonesia’s new capital, Nusantara.
This demonstration underscored the promise of advanced aerial mobility in a nation consisting of roughly 18,000 islands, where extensive land transportation development is particularly challenging.
Indonesia aims to support this vision by building a green, smart, and sustainable city in East Kalimantan. Hyundai Motor Group will play a key role in developing an AAM network to support this transformation.
Hyundai Motor Group has been actively collaborating with Indonesia’s Nusantara Capital City Authority to develop a local advanced aerial mobility (AAM) ecosystem. The partnership includes:
- Creating application plans for AAM within the new capital.
- Validating concepts for both ground and air transportation.
- Conducting local demonstrations.
Hyundai Motor also showcased a miniature version of the S-A2, an advanced aircraft unveiled at CES 2024 in Las Vegas. Developed by Supernal, Hyundai Motor’s US-based subsidiary specializing in advanced aerial mobility, the S-A2 aims to commercialize flying taxi services by 2028. Indonesian officials expressed considerable interest in the S-A2, inquiring about its design and performance specifications.
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