Baek Byung-yeul is a journalist at The Korea Times focused on cultural content, including films and cultural events in South Korea. You can contact him at baekby@koreatimes.co.kr to share your insights.
Hyundai Motor hires aerospace expert to oversee technology in air mobility division
By Baek Byung-yeul
Hyundai Motor Group has hired a veteran aerospace expert as the chief technology officer (CTO) of its Urban Air Mobility Division, seeking to bolster the business as its next growth engine.
Ben Diachun, the former head of a California-based aerospace startup called Opener, will serve as CTO, effective immediately, to develop technology strategy and vision to bring Hyundai's urban air mobility (UAM) vehicle to market by 2028, the automotive group said.
Ben Diachun, Hyundai Motor Group's chief technology officer for its Urban Air Mobility Division / Courtesy of Hyundai Motor Group
By Baek Byung-yeul
Diachun has been at engineering and executive leadership positions over the past 20 years. He was also president of Scaled Composites, a U.S.-based aerospace company founded by American aircraft designer and entrepreneur, Burt Rutan, famed for creating the Voyager, the first plane to fly around the world without stopping or refueling.
Diachun earned a master's degree in aeronautics and astronautics from Stanford University and a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue University.
“I have been fascinated by technology and air travel since I was a child and am thrilled to put my experience to work in the Urban Air Mobility Division,” Diachun said. “With an incredibly talented team and the manufacturing expertise of Hyundai Motor Group, we are well-positioned to transform the human travel experience. I am honored to join this group and am excited for what we will accomplish together.”
Shin Jai-won, a former director of aeronautics at NASA and the current head of the Urban Air Mobility Division, said the automotive group expects the new CFO to help the company achieve its goal of becoming a leader in the air transportation industry.
“His track record of building groundbreaking aircraft, as well as agile, collaborative and diverse teams, is critical to our mission to develop the best and most innovative design for our UAM vehicle,” Shin said.
The automotive group unveiled a blueprint for its air mobility business at the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, where it displayed a replica of its concept aircraft, called S-A1.
Jointly developed with Uber, the five-seat, electric, vertical take-off and landing vehicle will be flown by a pilot in the early stages of commercial UAM service, but will fly autonomously after its embedded auto pilot technology becomes more stable.