Hyundai Motor Company is constantly investing in new technologies, proving that it is "looking" for the future, not exclusively in four-wheelers. As part of these new investments, the Korean brand announced a strategic partnership with Top Flight Technologies, Inc. a leading UAV (Drones) technology start-up as part of its broader effort to enhance future mobility solutions.
Hyundai will work with the Boston-based startup to accelerate the commercial application and development of Drones in various sectors and markets. Joint efforts will extend to creating new business opportunities related to Drones, leveraging Top Flight's patented hybrid electric power system. Potential areas for business development include cargo transportation, inspection services and industrial site surveillance missions.
Top Flight's hybrid power system is key to developing optimized solutions for business models based on Drones, as it enables extended flight times and heavier payloads for commercial use. Drones powered by Top Flight™ Micro Generator's hybrid system can remain airborne for up to two hours with a 4 kg payload. The American startup also offers a range of extended Drones solutions. Worth mentioning is the "3D Environmental Management System & Real-time Fleet Management System" which provides tools for developing flexible products as well as the "Remote Operation Console" which allows for simultaneous operation of multiple Drones.
"In addition to the challenge of longer flight durations, Top Flight is developing the technologies needed to provide new solutions in aerial logistics and mapping that could be useful in Hyundai's future operations," says Hyundai CRADLE Vice President of Hyundai CRADLE at Hyundai Motor Company, John Suh.
"Hyundai Motor Company's investment in Top Flight reaffirms its commitment to autonomous vehicles and mobility solutions, whether on the road or in the air," comments Top Flight Technologies CEO Dr. Long Phan, and continues: "We fully believe that Hyundai's world-class assembly and automation capabilities will help in the production and development of aerial UAVs more efficiently than ever before."
Hyundai's partnership with Top Flight is another example of the company's ongoing effort to promote its "Open Innovation" strategy, which aims to promote innovations that will strengthen the company's position in the future automotive market and people's everyday life through the development of innovative mobility services.
Founded in 2014, Top Flight Technologies specialises in hybrid power systems and fully autonomous UAV technologies. It has a long list of world-renowned partners in aerospace, transportation, agriculture and many other industries.
The global market for drones is growing rapidly and is expected to garner $22.1 billion of investment by 2026.
