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South Korean breakthrough for quieter flying taxis
Urban air mobility (UAM) has been experiencing a boom in recent years. Growing urbanization and daily traffic congestion are driving the search for alternative solutions for urban transportation. Analysts at the financial company Morgan Stanley even estimate that the global air taxi market will reach a value of approximately €1.32 trillion by 2040.
One of the biggest obstacles to the widespread use of open multi-propeller vessels, however, remains the unbearable noise and air resistance at higher speeds. South Korean automotive innovator Saean R&D Co., Ltd. has therefore decided to take a completely different approach. They have secured three key patents with the Korea Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) based on a closed air jet system.
The key idea behind the technology is to house the powertrain inside a soundproof enclosure. This drastically reduces noise in urban environments and improves efficiency during high-speed intercity travel. The second patent includes built-in deflectors that optimize air intake and exhaust, reducing energy consumption and relieving the battery. The third patent generates micro-vortices to prevent loss of lift during sharp maneuvers and disperses exhaust air for even quieter operation.
The company's move is not just experimental. Saean wants to create a strong patent wall with a coordinated portfolio that will make it impossible for competitors to easily copy the technology. Although the solution sounds extremely promising, in aviation the transition from patent drawings to series production is long and full of technical challenges. The closed air jet system brings a more complex structure, so it is worth remaining somewhat skeptical about the speed of the actual introduction of innovations into everyday traffic.
Saean is not an unknown, inexperienced startup. With the EXOD electric sports car, WiD-U mid-size SUVs, 30-ton heavy-duty trucks and specialized battery packs in its portfolio, they are now taking their e-mobility expertise to the skies.
