Drone Taxis Expected to Become Commercially Available in Four Years

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport published the first version of its urban air mobility concept on Sept. 28.

According to the publication, drone taxis are expected to be used for movement between Seoul and the Incheon and Gimpo Airports starting from 2025. These days, Hyundai Motor Group, Hanwha Systems, and many others are already moving ahead with their UAM development projects.

The ministry will allow UAM flight at an altitude of 300 meters to 600 meters so that collisions with other flying objects such as general drones and helicopters can be avoided. According to the current law, a small drone weighing 150 kilograms or less cannot fly above 150 meters.

According to the ministry, the initial commercialization period is from 2025 to 2029 and at least one pilot must be in each UAM vehicle in that period, in which vertiports will be limited to zones in the capital area connected to the airports. The first remote operation without a pilot is scheduled for 2030.