KARI - Korea Aerospace Research institute

Urban Air Mobility (UAM) is gaining global attention as a promising mode of aerial transportation within cities. It is expected to offer innovative solutions to pressing urban issues, such as traffic congestion, air pollution, and inefficient travel times.

To realize UAM in practical settings, more than just technological advancements are required. It demands fundamental changes to urban infrastructure and transportation systems. Real-world demonstrations are essential to verify whether these technologies and systems are suitable for actual operational environments. Test flights enable validation and the continuous improvement of key aspects such as safety, operational efficiency, and noise levels, thereby strengthening the technical and service foundation for UAM.

Numerous UAM demonstration initiatives are underway worldwide, including the UK’s Future Flight Challenge and France’s Reinvent Air Mobility Challenge. In the United States, NASA is collaborating with multiple partners through its AAM National Campaign and UAM Path Finder programs to evaluate technologies and systems for urban operations.
South Korea has set out an ambitious plan to establish global leadership in UAM. As part of this vision, the K-UAM Grand Challenge was launched as a key demonstration program. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport (MOLIT) appointed KARI as the lead agency to build the necessary infrastructure and to define procedures and evaluation metrics for validating the safety and feasibility of UAM operations.

The K-UAM Grand Challenge involves six major consortia, comprising a total of 43 organizations, including Hyundai Motor Company, Korean Air, SK Telecom, KT, LG U+, Kakao Mobility, Hanwha Systems, Lotte Data Communication, Lotte Rental, Hyundai E&C, GS E&C, Incheon International Airport Corporation, Korea Airports Corporation, and the Urban Air Mobility Industry Technology Research Association. Their participation is pivotal to Korea's strategy of establishing a leadership position in the global UAM landscape.
The K-UAM Grand Challenge is expected to play a key role in validating technologies, ensuring safety, and securing public acceptance. These outcomes will help accelerate the commercialization of UAM solutions. Through the successful execution of this program, KARI aims not only to advance aerospace technologies but also to pioneer transportation innovation that improves the quality of life.