Hyundai Motor has formed a “strategic partnership” with Top Flight Technologies, a startup in hybrid-electric unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technologies, in the latest automaker move in an attempt to position itself for unknown as future mobility solutions. Potential areas for business development include cargo transport, inspection services and surveillance missions for industrial sites.
Hyundai’s Top Flight deal is another example of activity at all auto companies who are trying to create a foothold in future mobility markets, whatever that means or whatever it becomes.
The Boston-based startup and Korean Hyundai will “explore ways to accelerate the commercial application and deployment of UAVs across various sectors and markets. Joint efforts will extend to seeking new business opportunities around UAVs, using Top Flight’s patented hybrid-electric power system. The global UAV (aka ‘drones’) market, is growing at a fast pace, expected to garner $22.1 billion by 2026.
Top Flight’s hybrid-electric power system is claimed to be key in developing solutions for UAV-centered business models, as it allows for extended flight times and heavier payloads for commercial use. Drones powered by the Top Flight Micro Generator Hybrid Power System can stay airborne for up to two hours, while carrying a load of four kilograms.
The American startup also offers an array of “scalable UAV solutions,” including a “3D Real-time Simulation Environment & Fleet Management System,” which provides product development tools and a “Remote Location Operation Console” that enables simultaneous operation of multiple UAV units.
Hyundai also seeks to enhance its existing operations with the application of drone products and technologies ― particularly high-definition (HD) mapping and operations and management (O&M) services. (No word on suitability for North Korean nuclear warheads – grin)
“In addition to solving the challenges of longer-duration flight for quadcopters, Top Flight is developing the technologies needed to enable new solutions in aerial logistics and mapping which could be useful in Hyundai’s future business,” said John Suh, Vice President of Hyundai CRADLE at Hyundai Motor Company.
Hyundai’s partnership with Top Flight is another example of all auto company’s strivings to enhance a foothold in the future mobility market, whatever that means. From technologies such as autonomous driving and artificial intelligence, to ride-sharing Hyundai Motor and competitors are building a network of firms that can contribute to the development of innovative mobility services.
Founded in 2014, Top Flight Technologies specializes in hybrid-electric power systems and fully autonomous technologies for UAVs. The company has several partners across aerospace, transportation, agriculture, and many other industries.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Hyundai Motor Links to UAV Startup Top Flight
Hyundai Motor has formed a “strategic partnership” with Top Flight Technologies, a startup in hybrid-electric unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technologies, in the latest automaker move in an attempt to position itself for unknown as future mobility solutions. Potential areas for business development include cargo transport, inspection services and surveillance missions for industrial sites.
Hyundai’s Top Flight deal is another example of activity at all auto companies who are trying to create a foothold in future mobility markets, whatever that means or whatever it becomes.
The Boston-based startup and Korean Hyundai will “explore ways to accelerate the commercial application and deployment of UAVs across various sectors and markets. Joint efforts will extend to seeking new business opportunities around UAVs, using Top Flight’s patented hybrid-electric power system. The global UAV (aka ‘drones’) market, is growing at a fast pace, expected to garner $22.1 billion by 2026.
Top Flight’s hybrid-electric power system is claimed to be key in developing solutions for UAV-centered business models, as it allows for extended flight times and heavier payloads for commercial use. Drones powered by the Top Flight Micro Generator Hybrid Power System can stay airborne for up to two hours, while carrying a load of four kilograms.
The American startup also offers an array of “scalable UAV solutions,” including a “3D Real-time Simulation Environment & Fleet Management System,” which provides product development tools and a “Remote Location Operation Console” that enables simultaneous operation of multiple UAV units.
Hyundai also seeks to enhance its existing operations with the application of drone products and technologies ― particularly high-definition (HD) mapping and operations and management (O&M) services. (No word on suitability for North Korean nuclear warheads – grin)
“In addition to solving the challenges of longer-duration flight for quadcopters, Top Flight is developing the technologies needed to enable new solutions in aerial logistics and mapping which could be useful in Hyundai’s future business,” said John Suh, Vice President of Hyundai CRADLE at Hyundai Motor Company.
Hyundai’s partnership with Top Flight is another example of all auto company’s strivings to enhance a foothold in the future mobility market, whatever that means. From technologies such as autonomous driving and artificial intelligence, to ride-sharing Hyundai Motor and competitors are building a network of firms that can contribute to the development of innovative mobility services.
Founded in 2014, Top Flight Technologies specializes in hybrid-electric power systems and fully autonomous technologies for UAVs. The company has several partners across aerospace, transportation, agriculture, and many other industries.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.