homeauto NewsMobile World Congress 2024: SK Telecom unveils prototype flying taxi, plans service launch by 2025
Mobile World Congress 2024: SK Telecom unveils prototype flying taxi, plans service launch by 2025
The South Korean government is actively promoting the commercialisation of air taxis by the target year of 2025. SK Telecom and Joby Aviation aim to capitalise on this government support.
South Korean telecommunications giant SK Telecom showcased a prototype air taxi named UAM - Urban Air Mobility at the Mobile World Congress 2024. The air taxi is currently operated by pilots, but the company is hoping to make it autonomous and commercially produce it by 2025.
The company has also unveiled ambitious plans to introduce a flying taxi service by 2025. The company anticipates that this venture will yield significant revenue in the coming years.
In a strategic move last year, SK Telecom joined forces with the US firm Joby Aviation to develop air taxis specifically tailored for the South Korean market.
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The collaboration involved a substantial investment of $100 million, granting SK Telecom an approximately 2% stake in Joby Aviation, a California-based company.
The Joby aircraft flying in the skies above Marina, California.Joby Aviation specialises in creating electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles—innovative flying machines designed to navigate congested urban areas and bypass traffic. These electric aircraft represent a promising solution for efficient transportation.
Through its partnership with Joby Aviation, SK Telecom aims to introduce flying taxis to South Korea, diversifying its business model to encompass urban air mobility and AI-driven innovations.
The South Korean government is actively promoting the commercialisation of air taxis by the target year of 2025. SK Telecom and Joby Aviation aim to capitalise on this government support.
(Edited by : Vivek Dubey)
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