Hyundai has a dream of taking to the skies, and its aerospace division, Supernal, has just revealed its second electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle concept at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). The S-A2 builds upon the foundation set by its initial concept, the S-A1 (previously unveiled at CES in 2020). It has evolved into a more comprehensive and production-ready form, offering a glimpse into Hyundai and Supernal’s vision for the future of aerial mobility.
It features eight tilting propellers that
get the S-A2 up to a cruising speed of 193 km/h, and up to an
altitude of 457 meters. Hyundai says that its production eVTOLs
will be designed for short, 40-64 km trips at first. That will
make them best suited to cities, where traveling short distances can take a
long time on the ground. And to ensure that they don’t bother residents,
Hyundai says that the S-A2’s rotors would generate only 65 dB while taking off,
and 45 dB while cruising. That makes them roughly as loud as a dishwasher,
meaning they won’t be a nuisance.
Supernal says that Hyundai’s input into
the design process was helpful for designing the S-A2. For instance, the cabin
has four seats for passengers, and they are clearly differentiated from the
pilot’s seat. All are made out of aviation-grade, energy-absorbing materials,
for safety. As evident from its design, the S-A2 isn’t exactly a conventional
flying car. It’s primarily designed for aerial transportation, and Hyundai specifies
that vertiports will serve as the take-off and landing locations for its
eVTOLs. At these vertiports, passengers will be collected, dropped off, and
then continue their journey to their ultimate destination.
While the concept vehicle isn’t currently
operational for passenger flights, Supernal has set up a vertiport exhibition
in the Diamond parking lot of the Las Vegas Convention Center. At this
exhibition, CES attendees have the opportunity to experience a simulated flight
over Los Angeles, providing them with insight into how this technology could
simplify urban transportation.
Supernal says that it is now working to
refine the S-A2 concept to get it ready for certification. It says that its
vehicle is being designed to meet flight standards around the globe, and it
wants to add things like modular interiors and removable battery packs, as the
technology becomes available. It hopes to lean on Hyundai’s experience in mass
production to eventually make the real version of its eVTOL. It anticipates that
it will be ready to enter the market in 2028.
