With the arrival of the most anticipated technology event of recent times, and by that I mean CES 2024, many of the world's leading companies came out to demonstrate their latest advances in increasingly accurate and reliable technology. The truth is that we are all somehow amazed to see the evolution of these prototypes and to know what kind of new additions they have had since their last appearance on the scene.
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Hyundai is making a clear statement that it will be part of the future by the year 2028. Perhaps this gives the impression that it is not far off, but to tell the truth, the evolution of each system is taking place in a rampant way that makes us rethink what we want as humanity.
The presentation of the latest version of Supernal, backed by the Hyundai Motor Group, was the center of the show. We are talking about the fact that in the convention center currently being held in Las Vegas, a prototype of what would be an electric aerial vehicle of significant dimensions was located. Its function is clear from the first moment it is seen and makes it clear that the cab business will soon be a reality.
This prototype called SA-2 is designed to transport a certain number of passengers on a commercial basis, which inevitably makes us think of a sort of aerial Uber. And there is not much wrong with that, that is the purpose that the company is thinking for four years from now. Of course, we must say that such a business does not yet exist, because let's imagine that apart from developing the technology, an endless number of formalities and regulations on airspace must be approved.
An earlier model had been introduced three years ago and that was the SA-1. At that time Hyundai had partnered with Uber Elevate, but then the business was bought by Joby Aviation with intentions of mass production with its obvious improvements; this in no way means that Uber will stop having a stake in this new industry, as it will be a business partner being able to invest, and in fact has done so, on the company.
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The team behind Supernal is huge and consists of 600 people working on the technical capabilities of the prototype. Jaiwon Shin, who is president of Hyundai Motor and CEO of Supernal, also mentions the fact that different suppliers around the world are supplying and working together to obtain the necessary parts to have the commercialization and launch of this aircraft in sight.
This does not mean that everything is ready and that the launch of the final product could be imminent or at least earlier than expected. If we think about it for a moment, it is a sign that the commercial product is at a fairly advanced stage, or at least that is my perception or desire to see this technology flying the skies.
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Regulations will be dormant until the SA-2 is finally at its most advanced stage possible, to the point where the start of its commercialization is just around the corner. It will have to go through an arduous evaluation process to obtain a type 1 certification from the Federal Aviation Administration. Everything indicates that this will be the year in which it will be able to be tested on real terrain, and this refers to a place (or space) such as California.
The interesting thing about this aircraft is not only in its design but also in its architecture. We are in the presence of a model that has distributed electric propulsion and that its 8 rotors are tiltable, although it is not specified to what degree. If we want to get even more technical, we mention that it has a powertrain, flight controls and everything that is considered necessary for the safety of a reliable flight.
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Its autonomy does not seem to be bad at all, since it will be possible to make trips of between 40 and 60 kilometers easily at a speed close to 200 km/h, at an approximate altitude of 450 meters. The main idea is that this transport will be used for trips from rural areas to the city. What is promised is that the noise level it will cause at take-off will be negligible.
In Conclusion
As a final opinion I can only say that I would love to be able to witness this kind of aircraft crossing the skies and above all, someday have the possibility to hire one of these services. Of course I have no doubt that this will give rise to new industries and that the developments that will be carried from now on will have a higher degree of avant-garde.
I firmly believe in the capacity of human beings to surpass their intelligence, to see new ideas emerge that give rise to inventions never imagined by mankind. If this begins to be a part of our daily lives, we will clearly be taking the first steps towards that future that we dreamed was far away but became a today.
- Content translated from Spanish to English with DeepL.
- Information consulted in: techcrunch.com