Supernal revealed its initial eVTOL vehicle cabin concept at Farnborough International Airshow on Monday 18 July.
The unveiling provided the first look at how Hyundai Motor Group is integrating automotive capabilities to develop the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) market.
Supernal has partnered up with Hyundai Motor Group’s design studios to create the cabin concept as it works to certify its eVTOL vehicle for commercial use in the US from 2028, and in the EU and UK shortly after.
“In order for Advanced Air Mobility to become a wide-spread mode of transportation, every detail – from the passenger experience to regulations and infrastructure – needs to be addressed from the start and work in lockstep with one another,” said Jaiwon Shin, President of Hyundai Motor Group and CEO of Supernal. “Leveraging Hyundai Motor Group’s mobility capabilities, Supernal is investing time and resources upfront to ensure the industry can scale to the masses in the coming decades and reach its exciting potential.”
“Supernal is partnering with Hyundai Motor Group’s top automotive designers to develop our eVTOL vehicle for manufacturability and wide-spread public acceptance,” Shin added. “We are taking the time to create a safe, light-weight commercial eVTOL that provides our future passengers with the security and comfort they find in their own cars.”
Supernal’s five-seat cabin concept design utilises the automotive industry’s reductive design approach to create the light-weight interior cabin which is made of forged carbon fiber and features ergonomically contoured seats with a cocoon-like environment for passengers.
SUpernal says its deployable seat consoles mimic automobile centre consoles and provide a charging station and stowage compartment for personal items. It also has grab handles built into the cabin doors and seatbacks assist with ingress and egress.
Cabin lighting includes overhead lights inspired by automobile sunroofs which adjust with the various stages of flight to emulate a “light therapy” effect.
The cabin concept also incorporates materials such as advanced recyclable carbon fibre reinforced thermoplastic, durable plant-based leather, recycled plastic fabric and responsibly sourced woods, and the seat frame utilises excess raw material from the airframe manufacturing process.
