Hyundai launches urban air mobility division led by Dr. Jaiwon Shin

Hyundai Motor Group is launching a new urban air mobility (UAM) division with renowned aeronautics engineer Dr. Jaiwon Shin as its head.

Hyundai announced the appointment on Sunday, saying that Shin’s “expertise in revolutionary airframe, engine, aviation safety, and air traffic management technologies will allow Hyundai Motor Group to take a lead in the fast-growing urban air mobility sector.” The new division will “develop core technologies and innovative solutions for safe and efficient airborne travel,” the company said.

Shin comes to Hyundai from NASA, where he most recently served as associate administrator for the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate. During his time at NASA, he oversaw a US$725 million program to lead many new aeronautics research initiatives, including supersonic X-plane, electrification of aircraft, unmanned aircraft system (UAS) traffic management, and UAM. 

He also co-chaired the White House National Science and Technology Council’s Aeronautics Science and Technology Subcommittee, which wrote the United States’ first presidential policy for aeronautics research and development. Additionally, he co-chaired the U.S. Air Force/NASA Executive Research Committee, which facilitated the highest level of coordination of common research needs between Air Force and NASA Aeronautics, according to a press release.

“Having worked on cutting-edge aviation research and development at NASA for 30 years, I am very excited and humbled by the opportunity to now shape urban air mobility strategy at Hyundai Motor Group,” Shin stated. “The new team at Hyundai will develop core technologies that will establish the company as a driving force in urban air mobility, a sector that is expected to grow into a market worth US$1.5 trillion within the next 20 years.”