According to reporting from Antara News, the Nusantara Capital City Authority (OIKN) tested a flying taxi prototype at Aji Pangeran Tumenggung Airport in Samarinda, East Kalimantan, on Monday (29/7/24.)
“This unmanned aerial vehicle (AUV) flew for about 10 minutes at an altitude of 50 meters and a speed of 50 km per hour,” OIKN’s Deputy for Green and Digital Transformation, Mohamed Ali Berawi, said.
He explained that the trial of flying taxis in Nusantara is the first step in realizing efficient and environment-friendly urban air transportation in Indonesia.
“This is proof of our commitment to developing future transportation technology,” he added.
Berawi explained that IKN Nusantara focuses not only on procuring AUV technology but also on developing and mastering it.
“We want to create an open innovation ecosystem where various parties can collaborate to develop this flying taxi technology,” he said.
Meanwhile, to achieve the vision, the OIKN has collaborated with various domestic and international strategic partners including cooperation with Hyundai Motors Company for the development of the flying taxi prototype, says Antara News.
The OIKN expects that the flying taxi trial can trigger the development of the civil aviation industry in Indonesia and are optimistic that flying taxis would be able to operate commercially in the next five years.
“We will continue to conduct research and development to ensure the safety and feasibility of flying taxis. We will also work with the central and regional governments to develop regulations that support public air transportation,” Berawi said.
Antara News report that in addition to physical infrastructure, Berawi said his side also focuses on the development of competent human resources, especially in the field of technology.
He believed that IKN would become a center for innovation and technology development in Indonesia by providing an ecosystem that supports startups in air transportation technology.
“We are also collaborating with universities to produce graduates who are ready to grasp opportunities in the technology industry in the future,” he said.
Source: Antara News
