The South Korean automaker Hyundai will build a network of flying cars in Indonesia’s future capital city, Nasuntara.
The head of the Green and Digital Transformations Department at the Nusantara Capital City Authority (OIKN) announced the deal.
Professor Mohammed Ali Berawi said, “There will be a trial of the system [in Nusantara] planned for 2024.”
Why does Indonesia want flying cars?
Photo Credit: voi.id
In August 2019, Indonesian President Joko Widodo announced that the government would replace the country’s capital city.
He noted problems in Jakarta, like heavy traffic and pollution. Also, it is sinking into the Java Sea at an alarming rate.
According to National Geographic, the water level in its northern regions rises by around 11 inches yearly. Moreover, almost 40% of Jakarta is below sea level.
As a result, the current capital city has frequent flooding. In response, Indonesia will have a new capital city named Nusantara.
It is on the island of Borneo in the East Kalimantan province. Also, the country wants to avoid the old capital’s problems.
That is why the government signed the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) project with Hyundai.
Mohammed said that the company’s flying cars would look like drones that transport people and goods without roads.
More importantly, it will allow access to remote areas like hills. Still, Mohammed admits that the technology for flying cars is still in its early stages.
He stated that flying cars would need decades before they become common in Nusantara. Yet, he said the government is looking ahead into the future.
He noted, “We’re not building this city for 2024; we are looking ahead to 2045, so that’s when the [flying car] tech is for.”
“Now, it’s hard to imagine flying cars, but maybe they’ll be around by 2035. We can be one of the pioneers in the development of the tech.”
Other countries have been conducting tests for flying vehicles. For example, Japan collaborated with the US to have guidelines on the public use of flying cars.
The country’s SkyDrive is the only Japanese eVTOL company that had successful human flight tests. The country will put them to practical use by 2023.
Conclusion
Indonesia will have flying cars for its new capital city. You might be able to try them on your next vacation by 2024!
The Philippines includes flying vehicles in its digital transformation. For example, Kyxz Mendiola created a one-seater flying car called Koncepto Millenya.
The country has also been promoting and preserving its culture via NFTs. Ensure you keep up with the latest news and trends by following Inquirer Tech.
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