Incheon, a city located west of Seoul riding on its selective status in regulatory exemptions in self-piloting vehicles in its skies has become the first location in Korea to pave the way for personal air vehicles (PAVs) as commuting transportation means in inner city.

The Incheon Metropolitan City held a ceremony to sign a development contract with a consortium of businesses and academia on Tuesday and released two PAV designs for viable commercial aircraft.

The city has conducted a $3.8 million state-funded project to develop a multicopter flight control system since November.

The consortium includes Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, Incheon Business Information Technopark, Yonsei University, Kyung Hee University and private companies. A PAV is a full-electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle for personal commuting or other use in the urban space.

The two models have the same dimensions with 380 cm in width, 350 cm in length and 180 cm in height, but differ just in the location of a thrust device. The city will determine a final design after public voting until Apr. 13 and complete a prototype by 2021.

A brushless motor will be applied to the PAV to ensure prolonged hours of flight and stability in high-speed rotation. A passenger shield will also be placed for extra safety, according to the city, which has devoted to the aviation industry as one of its eight priority sectors. The city expects the PAV project to bring new life to local part and component manufacturers.

By Ji Hong-goo and Minu Kim

[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business Newspaper & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]