Hyundai Motor Group on Monday unveiled a new ambitious plan to build an ecosystem for advanced air mobility (AAM), including flying cars and related infrastructure, in Indonesia’s new capital city of Nusantara that is currently under construction.
The Korean auto giant signed a memorandum of understanding with the Nusantara National Capital Authority for the new project on the sidelines of the B-20 Summit Indonesia 2022, which is taking place in Bali this week.
Earlier this year, the Indonesian government announced a plan to move its capital from Jakarta on the island of Java to Nusantara, a new forest city on the island of Borneo. Nearly $33 billion will be spent on building the new metropolis, while the relocation is expected to take almost a decade.
Under the agreement, the two sides will work on issues such as establishing the concept of land-air mobility integration, testing advanced air mobility vehicles, and building related infrastructure and ecosystem.
“The introduction of AAM to the new Indonesian capital means it is a ‘living laboratory,’ in line with the authority of new Indonesian capital’s philosophy to create new culture of learning, working and lifestyle,” said Bambang Susantono, head of the Nusantara National Capital Authority.
“It is meaningful that we build the new capital as a sustainable smart city in collaboration with Hyundai Motor Group.”
Hyundai also expressed high expectations for the new project, which aims to provide an efficient model for the AMM ecosystem and ultimately enhance quality of life for residents of the island.
The carmaker added that, based on the achievements made in Indonesia, it would aim to create a broader AAM ecosystem around the world.
“We see the latest MOU with the Indonesian government as the first step to realizing Hyundai Motor Group’s vision and promise for a safe and innovative AAM system,” said Shin Jae-won, Hyundai Motor Group president in charge of AAM.
Earlier this year, Hyundai unveiled a vision for AAM that introduced its concept of urban air mobility and regional air mobility and set out a development road map for eco-friendly aircraft.
By 2028, it aims to begin the commercial service of UAM vehicles in the US via its aviation affiliate Supernal.
