In an audacious move, the S-A2 electric air taxi was unveiled at CES 2024. It’s the latest project from Supernal, Hyundai Motor Group’s advanced air mobility wing. The air taxi will be ready for liftoff by 2028.
Locate2u News looks at the intricate details of the electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, its development journey, and its technical features.
Hyundai’s S-A2 unveiled
Previously, Hyundai partnered with Uber Elevate to develop air taxis for “a future aerial ride-share network,” as reported by TechCrunch at the time.
The first iteration of the four-seater aircraft, called the S-A1, was unveiled at CES 2020.
Eric Allison, head of Uber Elevate said at the time that Hyundai “has the potential to build Uber Air vehicles at rates unseen in the current aerospace industry.”
He added that the aircraft would be high quality and reliable, manufactured at “high volumes to drive down passenger costs per trip.”
Uber Elevate was later incorporated into Joby Aviation. Now, four years later, the S-A2 arrives under Supernal’s wing, a company based in South Korea.
The aircraft still has to go through the Type 1 certification process with the Federal Aviation Administration. Supernal CTO Ben Diachun tells TechCrunch testing will begin in California this year.
Technical features of the Hyundai S-A2
Supernal says the S-A2 has capacity for four passengers and one pilot. The project is headed by Hyundai President Jaiwon Shin, who was previously at NASA.
The aircraft features a V-tail design with distributed electric propulsion architecture. This makes the S-A2 more aerodynamically efficient. It may also reduce the weight and drag of the aircraft.
It has eight all-tilting rotors and can cruise at a speed of 120 miles per hour, meaning it is suitable for both suburban and inner city travel. At approximately 65 decibels during takeoff and landing – and 45 decibels while cruising – it generates the same noise levels as a dishwasher.
The craft’s modular interior can be adapted for a multitude of purposes. In short, the seating arrangement can be changed, making the S-A2 versatile for various types of flights or transit modes.
It also has a replaceable battery, so the aircraft won’t be limited to the lifespan of its original battery. As EV battery technology advances, the batteries can be replaced to improve performance.
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Cheryl has contributed to various international publications, with a fervor for data and technology. She explores the intersection of emerging tech trends with logistics, focusing on how digital innovations are reshaping industries on a global scale. When she's not dissecting the latest developments in AI-driven innovation and digital solutions, Cheryl can be found gaming, kickboxing, or navigating the novel niches of consumer gadgetry.
