Story at a glance
- Hyundai’s chief operating officer announced the company could have urban air mobility vehicles, or flying cars, working as air taxis at major U.S. airports as soon as 2025.
- The car manufacturer set a goal last year of having operational air taxis by 2028.
- Hyundai showcased the flying-car concept developed in collaboration with ride-hailing company Uber in early 2020.
South Korean automaker Hyundai is betting big on flying cars in the near future.
Reuters reports Hyundai’s chief operating officer on Monday said the company could have urban air mobility vehicles, or flying cars, working as air taxis at major U.S. airports as soon as 2025.
America is changing faster than ever! Add Changing America to your Facebook or Twitter feed to stay on top of the news.
The car manufacturer last year set a goal of having operational air taxis by 2028.
“We see this market as a significant growth opportunity,” Jose Munoz, Hyundai COO and Hyunday North America CEO, said Monday during the Reuters Events Car of the Future conference.
“When it comes to future technology…it’s never too soon. The pioneers are winners,” Munoz said.
Hyundai showcased the flying-car concept it developed in collaboration with ride-hailing company Uber in early 2020. The vehicle will be 100 percent electric and use rotors to cruise at an altitude of about 1,000 to 2,000 feet above the ground, taking off and landing like a helicopter.
The carmaker envisions the aircraft picking up passengers from urban or suburban locations and then flying them to a major airport. Hyundai said the vehicle will be piloted initially, but will become autonomous overtime.
Munoz told Reuters the company is looking to develop other services utilizing the vehicles, such as not only transporting people, but also commercial cargo.
Morgan Stanley predicts the flying car market will reach $320 billion by 2030 as automakers such as General Motors, Toyota and others are developing the technology.
READ MORE STORIES FROM CHANGING AMERICA
BIDEN TO INVEST $100B ON INTERNET FOR ALL AMERICANS
NEW AMTRAK MAP SHOWS US RAIL NETWORK IT CAN BUILD WITH BIDEN’S INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN
WHAT EXACTLY IS IN BIDEN’S BOLD NEW INFRASTRUCTURE PROPOSAL?
SEN WARREN, REP OCASIO-CORTEZ INTRODUCE $500B BILL TO CREATE GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE JOBS
MISSISSIPPI WATER WOES DRAG ON WEEKS AFTER STORMS
changing america copyright.
