The Future of Urban Mobility
"This is the physical prototype of the UAM you've only seen in drawings. Fortunately, the airframe construction wasn't too difficult, so it didn't take long to build."
"It looks sleeker than I imagined."
"It has a maximum takeoff weight of 2,200 kg, a cruising speed of 300 km/h, and a range of 220 km. If the battery technology improves, we can extend that range up to 300 km."
On the factory floor, a UAM equipped with six propellers was being assembled. The four front propellers and two rear propellers were designed with a variable-pitch mechanism to adjust their rotation direction.
"The front ones are variable, and the rear ones are, too?"
"Yes. We adopted six rotors to ensure flight stability during takeoff and landing. Furthermore, the front and rear propellers are designed to reverse their rotation direction to increase speed during level flight. Compared to multi-copter type UAMs, this design allows for a range nearly 1.5 times greater."
"Didn't you plan to use four propellers last time?"
"Four is the most ideal design, but if one propeller fails, it could cause issues during takeoff and landing, so we adjusted it to six."
Miso, watching the UAM being assembled, remarked, "At this rate, we could even enter this into the drone exhibition in the U.S. When will actual flight tests be possible?"
"We are currently conducting acceptance tests for the T-50 series aircraft and helicopter flight tests simultaneously. So, once the airspace issue is resolved, it should be possible next month. But as you know, it's not easy to clear the airspace around Sacheon and Namhae. I will coordinate as best as I can to secure an early slot."
"President Cho Yoon-je, have you secured pilots? You'll need at least someone with test pilot qualifications..."
"Fortunately, we have staff on the helicopter side who hold test pilot certifications, so I plan to deploy them."
"As expected of you, President Cho. Thank you."
President Cho smiled, looking bashful at Miso's charm, and Taesik was also satisfied with the prototype's shape, which looked better than he had anticipated.
"Have you come up with an estimated mass production price?"
"We haven't been able to calculate that yet. The prototype development alone cost 10 billion won, and since the production volume hasn't been finalized, we couldn't derive a mass production estimate. Excluding design costs, the prototype construction itself cost about 2 billion won. Most of that went into tooling for the airframe shape, and the most expensive components are the batteries and the axial flux motors."
"If we were to aim for a production volume of about 1,000 units, what would the estimated price be?"
"In that case... it would likely be under 100 million won. If we set up mass production facilities, I believe we could even get it down to 50 million won."
"We need to make it known that we've developed a UAM, so let's send the prototypes to the exhibition."
"Understood. Just let me know the schedule, and I'll prepare immediately. Would you like to see the interior as well?"
"Of course. We've come this far; we have to see the inside."
Taesik and Miso entered the UAM prototype to examine the cockpit, and President Cho explained the instrument panel from the side.
"Many of the instruments are adopted from existing helicopters. Since we used the same instruments as the Surion helicopter we produce, there is significant compatibility. Also, after reviewing costs, we used imported parts for components where imports were cheaper than domestic ones."
"So that's why. The instrument panel is quite similar to a helicopter's."
"Once we enter mass production, we can lower the cost of the parts going into the panel, which should create price competitiveness."
"I'll need to meet with the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport as soon as I get back to Seoul. If we succeed in actual flight, I think we can push for commercialization immediately."
Miso, listening to Taesik from the side, intervened.
"CEO, the flight time is currently only at the 30-minute level, so commercialization is difficult. We need at least one hour of flight capability for commercialization. For now, we need to negotiate with government agencies to create relevant systems and policies."
Miso neatly summarized Taesik's wishes and conveyed her own thoughts.
"I understand. I just meant the prototype is that good. Please arrange a meeting with the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport as soon as we arrive in Seoul."
Taesik stepped out of the UAM after admiring the instrument panel and the passenger seats in the back. Since this was a project she was leading, Miso meticulously inspected the interior and asked the engineers questions, while Taesik watched her with President Cho.
"Um... CEO!"
At President Cho's sudden call, Taesik turned his head.
"Why...?"
"Miso-ssi is scarier than you, CEO. Maybe it's because she's from the Miso Group, but she's very clear about where to draw the line."
"It's my first time seeing that side of her, too. I'm not sure if starting a relationship was the right move."
The two quickly stopped talking when Miso looked their way. As Miso stepped down from the UAM prototype and approached them, they moved on to the site where the Loyal Wingman was being assembled as if nothing had happened.
Back from Sacheon, Taesik reviewed the materials Miso had prepared and spoke up.
"The materials for the consultation with the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport are ready, but did they say a meeting is possible?"
"Yes. At first, they were puzzled that a representative from the defense sector wanted to schedule a meeting, but when I mentioned UAM, a new mode of transportation, they were surprised and said they would clear their schedule."
"When is the appointment? You're coming with me, right, Miso-ssi?"
"Of course I have to go. We're meeting this Thursday."
The two reviewed the points to discuss with the Minister and headed to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on Thursday, the day of the appointment. The current Minister was a former politician belonging to the ruling party, so they entered the office prepared for uncomfortable demands.
As they entered the office, the Minister stood up immediately.
"Nice to meet you. I am Park Il-ho, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport."
Taesik handed the Minister his business card and said, "I am Kim Taesik, CEO of Starlink."
"I heard before you arrived that you wanted to see me about the UAM business. Has there been anyone in South Korea pursuing a UAM project?"
"Starlink possesses the necessary technologies, so we are pursuing it as a new business."
"With the current presidential impeachment situation, the atmosphere in the government is not what it used to be. Everyone is cautious, fearing they might incur the public's wrath if they push for something new. I'm concerned about you pursuing UAM as a new business."
"Minister, UAM is currently a new industry that every nation is hoping to participate in, following electric vehicles. If South Korea does not establish the systems and policies, another country might take the title of the first to commercialize UAM. Why don't we look at the materials while we talk?"
Taesik pulled out the materials he had brought to persuade the Minister, who was looking at him with concern.
"Currently, urban centers in South Korea and around the world are facing traffic problems due to the influx of population. To solve these traffic issues, we need a new mode of transportation that encompasses the city and the surrounding metropolitan areas, and I would like to propose UAM as that solution."
"Hmm... to put it simply, you're saying you want to deploy helicopter-like aircraft in sections with traffic congestion. But if you operate such noisy aircraft in urban areas, citizens will be inconvenienced. How do you plan to handle that?"
"UAM uses smaller propellers compared to helicopters, so the noise generated is significantly lower. And if we install UAM landing pads in the Han River area, where there is less foot traffic, citizen inconvenience will be minimized. Also, since Seoul has the Han River, if UAMs move along the river, the inconvenience will be less than expected."
"Even so, is it right for South Korea to be the first to proceed with a transportation system that other countries haven't even introduced yet? It seems it wouldn't be too late to introduce it after the U.S. proceeds with commercialization first... If UAM is the future of transportation as you say, why aren't companies like Dae-ah Motors participating?"
Taesik, seeing the Minister being negative about UAM introduction by mentioning existing conglomerates, replied, "Minister! Look at South Korea's mobile communications. Didn't we introduce 4G for the first time in the world and lead the technology standards? You have to introduce technology first so that many derivative technologies can emerge from it."
"..."
"Let's look at