Hyundai autonomous plane to land in 2028

Hyundai has confirmed it will introduce a fleet of air taxis under its new Supernal brand, with the first passenger flights to commence in 2028.

The Korean company has announced that its flying taxi business will be based in the US, where it's expected the fleet of self-flying aircraft will be inspired by the all-electric vertical take-off and landing concept that was shown at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas last year.

The Supernal brand has already partnered with private companies and government agencies to help fast-forward the development of the air taxi fleet, which will be designed to carry four or five passengers.

Back in 2020, Hyundai teamed up with Uber Elevate (before the ride-share app sold its aviation arm) to create an aircraft that was designed to cruise at up to 290km/h at an altitude of 300-600m for up to 100km.

Once a flight was completed, the Hyundai SA-1 aircraft needed a five-to-seven-minute recharge before the next trip.

Featuring as many as 12 propellers, the smaller blade rotors were employed to cut take-off noise in built-up urban areas.

Commenting on the confirmation of the 2028 launch and the formation of the new company, new Supernal CEO and president of Hyundai Motor Group, Jaiwon Shin, said: "In adding a new dimension to mobility, we are on a mission to transform how people and society move, connect and live.

"We are working to build the right product and the right integrated market, and we will leverage Hyundai Motor Group’s scaled manufacturing expertise to ensure AAM reaches the right price point and is accessible to the masses."