Mobility platform provider TMAP will join the partnership between US-based Joby Aviation and SK Telecom that aims to bring an emissions-free air taxi service to South Korea.
With the unprecedented amount of transportation and mapping data that it has gathered over the last 20 years, TMAP will be able to help its partners design optimal air taxi routes, infrastructure networks and overall mobility service that cater to the preference of local customers.
“TMAP’s deep knowledge and understanding of mobility needs across Korea, along with millions of daily users across Korea, makes them a great partner and platform through which to bring our aerial ridesharing service to customers,” said Justin Lang, head of partnerships and corporate strategy at Joby. “South Korea is a remarkable opportunity for our aircraft to improve lives and save people time, and working with SKT and TMAP puts us in the best position to deliver a revolutionary service that is clean, quiet, and affordable.”
Joby Aviation develops all-electric aircraft for commercial passenger service.
With a maximum range of 150 miles (241 kilometres), a top speed of 200 mph (321 km/h), and a low noise profile that will allow it to access urban areas, Joby's piloted electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft is designed to make convenient, emissions-free air travel an everyday reality.
In February, Joby and SKT announced an agreement to work closely on introducing emissions-free aerial ridesharing to Korean cities and communities in support of the “K-UAM” (Korean Urban Air Mobility) Roadmap laid out by the South Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport.
Lee Jong Ho, CEO of TMAP Mobility, said: “By cooperating with Joby, TMAP will become a platform operator that can offer a seamless transportation service between the ground and the sky.”
TMAP jointly owns on-demand ride-hailing app UT along with Uber, a partner to Joby since 2019, which will enable multi-modal journeys that seamlessly integrate both ground and air travel.
Together with SK Telecom, TMAP and Joby will work together to integrate emissions-free aerial ridesharing into TMAP’s transportation services.
While Joby’s aerial ridesharing service will be operated directly by the company, its strategy is to partner with local companies committed to delivering exceptional customer service and operational excellence to launch its service in select international markets.
