Air transport services will be introduced in South Korea following the signing of a strategic cooperation agreement between eVTOL pioneer Joby Aviation and SK Telecom.
Through the agreement, the two companies will work to introduce all-electric, five-seat eVTOL aircraft in the air to support the K-UAM (Korean Urban Air Mobility) Roadmap of South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
With a maximum range of 250 miles, a top speed of 320 km/h and a low noise profile allowing access to built-up areas, Joby’s piloted aircraft is designed to make zero-emission flying an everyday occurrence.
Using the partners SKs T Map mobility platform and UT ride hailing service for providing ground and air mobility services. Founded in 2021 as a joint venture between SKT and Uber, UT integrated SK’s T Map platform and Uber’s ride-sharing technology. Joby and Uber have been working together since 2019.
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In a statement, Ryu Young-sang, CEO of SKT, said: “By joining forces with Joby, a global leader in this field, we expect to accelerate our journey into the era of Urban Air Mobility and lead the way in introducing this exciting new technology,”
“Collaborating with leading global companies is essential to ensure leadership in future industries, which we are confident will be driven by the growth of UAM, autonomous driving and robots.”
Joby has spent more than a decade developing the technology behind its aircraft, completed more than 1,000 test flights and is the first eVTOL company to sign a G-1 (Stage 4) certification basis for their aircraft with the US Federal Aviation Administration. Administration (FAA).
JoeBen Bevirt, Founder and CEO of Joby Aviationsaid: “With more than 42 million people living in urban areas, South Korea presents a remarkable opportunity for Joby to make air travel a part of everyday life, saving people time and reducing their carbon footprint.”
