The partnership will leverage SK’s T Map mobility platform and UT ride-hailing service to offer multi-modal journeys to customers in the country

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Joby's second pre-production prototype at the company's hangar in Marina, California (Credit: Business Wire)

South Korea-based SK Telecom has partnered with California-based Joby Aviation to introduce emissions-free aerial ridesharing services in cities and communities across South Korea.

To launch the air taxi services, the South Korean firm has signed a strategic collaboration agreement with Joby at the latter’s manufacturing facility in Marina, California.

Under the partnership, the two companies will launch the new service to support the South Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport’s Korean Urban Air Mobility (K-UAM) Roadmap.

Joby is engaged in developing an all-electric, five-seat aircraft that has the ability to take off and land vertically (eVTOL).

The company’s piloted aircraft provide a maximum range of 150 miles (241km), with a top speed of 200mph (321kmph). It also features a low noise profile to access built-up areas.

In January this year, Joby confirmed receiving the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Special Airworthiness Certification and US Air Force Airworthiness Approval for a second pre-production prototype aircraft.

SKT CEO Ryu Young-sang said: “By joining forces with Joby, a global leader in this field, we expect to accelerate our journey towards the era of Urban Air Mobility and lead the way on introducing this exciting new technology.

“Collaborating with leading global companies is essential to securing leadership in future industries, which we are confident will be driven by the growth of UAM, autonomous driving, and robots.”

By leveraging SK’s T Map mobility platform and UT ride-hailing service, the two firms intend to offer multi-modal journeys to customers in South Korea integrating both ground and air travel.

UT is a joint venture between SKT and Uber that was formed last year to combine the T Map platform and Uber’s ride-sharing technology.

SKT aims to become a major player in connected intelligence by promoting the development of urban air mobility with its capabilities in telecommunications, autonomous driving, precise positioning, and security.