USA. Hyundai-owned Supernal has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the City of Miami to create a ‘comprehensive engagement framework’ that will enable development of the advanced air mobility (AAM) market in the Florida coastal metropolis.
Supernal – which is developing an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi for 2028 entry into service – said the agreement with the local government of Miami is a major step towards delivering innovative, multimodal and community-focused mobility solutions that benefit people and society.
AAM has the potential to transform communities by enabling efficient inter- and intracity transport, including access to traditionally underserved and remote locations, reducing carbon emissions and providing a seamless, end-to-end passenger experience, among other benefits.
As part of the MoU, Supernal and the City of Miami will collaborate with community organisations to identify current gaps in existing transportation, determine how AAM can help and if needed, recommend potential new policies.
The MoU also includes launching workforce development and education initiatives that recruit and incubate local talent and integrate AAM into existing transit networks, such as Metrorail, Metrobus and Metromover, among other systems.
Supernal said it believes that policies developed and insights gained through this first-of-its-kind collaboration can serve as a model for municipal leaders across the US as more cities begin to adopt new mobility solutions.
Venture Miami is the team in the Mayor’s office responsible for developing the city’s innovation and technology ecosystem. It will oversee key aspects of the MoU and convene regular working group meetings and collaborations with influential community, business and education leaders to outline the necessary steps to actualise AAM in Miami.
Supernal CEO Jaiwon Shin said: “We are honoured to play a role in responsibly co-creating the future of mobility for the city of Miami. Because of the leadership demonstrated by Mayor Suarez, our work together will help establish the city of Miami as a model for AAM market development we hope to replicate in other cities.
“I’m excited to be taking this step in Miami’s history. I want Miami to be the epicentre of creativity and innovation and I want the future of transportation here. This MoU will pave the way for cities across the United States and the world to solve mobility issues for their constituents.”
Supernal Global Head of Policy and Regulation Diana Cooper said: “Our partnership with the City of Miami is about more than selling electric air vehicles or securing rights to establish operations. At this stage, our interest is bringing together different public and private sector voices to explore when and how AAM can address the city’s transportation needs and challenges.”
“From there, we will create a roadmap together based on community input and other considerations. When Miami succeeds, Supernal succeeds.”
Washington D.C.-headquartered Supernal launched as the Urban Air Mobility Division of Hyundai Motor Group in January 2020 and became known as Supernal in November 2021.
The company has close ties with Urban-Air Port, the London company which is developing Air One, the world’s first fully-operational vertiport for eVTOL aircraft. It is due to open in the UK city of Coventry at the end of next month, and The Moodie Davitt Report will be on location to cover it.
As reported, Supernal made an investment in Urban-Air Port in January which will help support the latter’s plans to develop 200 vertiport sites across the world in the next five years.
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