서울 하늘 '드론 택시' 첫 시범 비행...2025년 상용화 목표<br /><br />It sounds like a scene from a sci-fi movie, but flying drone taxis have become reality for the first time in Seoul.<br />A test flight event on Wednesday demonstrated the technology that could be a common site should the government reach its goal of commercializing the technology by 2025.<br />Eum Ji-young was there.<br />With propellers spinning, an electric-powered pilotless drone taxi took off into the sky above Seoul for the first time for a seven-minute test flight over the Han River.<br />The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Seoul Metropolitan Government jointly hosted an event on Wednesday to present the technology.<br />"The government is pushing to commercialize Urban Air Mobility by 2025. We are holding this demonstration in order for citizens to actually see the development of UAM."<br />The ministry said that between now and 2040, the drone taxi and the new transport system will create around 160-thousand jobs and have an economic impact of 20 billion U.S. dollars.<br />At the event, smaller drones also delivered letters and presents to the attendees.<br />"Tech companies also had the opportunity to showcase their latest drone taxi models that could potentially reduce traffic congestion in urban areas in the near future."<br />It will only take 20 minutes by drone taxi to travel the 40 kilometers from Yeouido, western Seoul to Incheon International Airport a journey that usually takes an hour by car.<br />And as the technology develops, drone taxis will become more affordable.<br />"I think South Korea, we have a really strong government, the motivation. They are very motivated and they really like to help the industry. Korea has a really good component technologies like batteries and the motors so I think we are quite well posed." However, the expert said safety standards such as air certification, operation and traffic control need to be worked out before commercialization.<br />Eum Ji-young, Arirang News.<br />
