Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesia will test its first flying taxis for the country’s new capital Nusantara in July, ahead of an anticipated showcase at the Independence Day celebrations on August 17.
According to the Nusantara Capital City (IKN) Authority, vehicle parts have arrived in Balikpapan in East Kalimantan. Batteries have arrived in Jakarta and will be shipped to Samarinda, a nearby city in East Kalimantan.
Trials will be conducted at Samarinda airport for a month after the parts are inspected and assembled.
In 2022, the authority and the Hyundai Motor Company signed a memorandum of understanding to develop an advanced air mobility ecosystem in Indonesia.
After the trial, Hyundai is expected to develop a business model for the flying taxis through Supernal, its subsidiary specialising in urban air mobility. It will also develop autonomous flight technology for the vehicles.
Hyundai's flying taxi has a capacity of five people, which is larger than a similar model tested by China-based EHang last year, which can carry only two people.
The Korean flying taxis also have a higher top speed and longer flight range, and use batteries as the main power source, thus being more environmentally friendly. The battery can be maintained for a distance of up to 100km in a single flight, with a maximum speed of 200km per hour./.
