SK Telecom and Joby Partner on Air Taxis

South Korean telecom provider SK Telecom (SKT), has partnered with Joby Aviation to introduce emissions-free aerial ridesharing services to cities and communities across South Korea. The agreement, signed by SKT’s CEO Ryu Young-sang and Joby’s CEO JoeBen Bevirt, will see the two companies working closely on introducing electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in support of the South Korean Ministry of Land, infrastructure, and Transport’s “K-UAM” (Korean Urban Air Mobility) Roadmap.

Joby’s piloted aircraft has a maximum range of 150 miles (241 kilometers), a top speed of 200 mph (321 km/h), and a low noise profile that will allow it to fly in built-up areas.

SKT has been promoting the development of urban air mobility (UAM) by leveraging its expertise in telecommunications, autonomous driving, precise position, and security. As a member of “UAM Team Korea”, SKT is also working with other major Korean companies to enhance the nation’s competitiveness in the aviation field.

The partners intend to leverage SK’s T Map mobility platform, Korea’s largest mobility platform, and UT ride-hailing service to provide multi-modal journeys to customers that also seamlessly integrate both ground and air travel.

“By joining forces with Joby, a global leader in the field, we expect to accelerate our journey towards the era of Urban Air Mobility and lead the way on introducing this exciting new technology,” said Ryu Young-sang, CEO of SKT. “Collaborating with leading global companies is essential to securing leadership in future industries, which we are confident will be driven by the growth of UAM, autonomous driving, and robots.”

JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby, added “With more than 42 million people living in urban areas, South Korea offers a remarkable opportunity for Joby to make air travel a part of daily life, helping people to save time while reducing their carbon footprint.”