Archer’s Midnight Sun Shines Bright in South Korea

Image Credit: Archer Aviation.

The electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) scene is about to get a whole lot hotter in South Korea. Archer Aviation, a California-based company that makes the futuristic flying taxis, has just inked a sweet deal with KaKaoMobility, South Korea's biggest ride-hailing service.

Wait a minute, flying taxis? Sounds like something straight out of "The Jetsons," right? Trust me, this is the real deal. And with this new partnership, Archer and KaKaoMobility are ready to bring their eVTOL dreams to life in the Land of the Morning Calm.

Archer isn't new to this game. They've already serious street cred with their Midnight eVTOL aircraft, which has been making waves in the US and UAE. This sleek, electric bird can take off and land vertically, making it perfect for navigating those busy cityscapes.

Image Credit: Archer Aviation.

Now, thanks to this new deal, KaKaoMobility is shelling out a cool $7 million to Archer this year, with another payment coming in 2025. Plus, they've got dibs on buying up to 50 of those fancy Midnight eVTOLs. That's $250 million worth of flying taxis.

But why South Korea? Well, it turns out that the average Seoul commuter spends a whopping 90 minutes a day stuck in traffic. That's enough time to binge-watch a couple of episodes of "Squid Game"! So, it's no wonder that the government is keen to explore new ways to ease congestion.

Enter Archer and KaKaoMobility, stage right. They're not just planning to sell flying taxis; they're aiming to offer air taxi rides to KaKaoMobility's 30 million app users. Imagine being able to book a flying taxi with just a few taps on your phone – that's the future we're talking about here.

And it's not just about convenience. These eVTOLs are electric, which means they're also better for the environment. So, not only could you potentially save time on your commute, but you could also feel good about reducing your carbon footprint.

Image Credit: Archer Aviation.

Of course, there are still plenty of hurdles to overcome. Archer and KaKaoMobility are set to take part in the K-UAM Grand Challenge, a government-backed initiative aimed at promoting eVTOL technology. They'll need to prove that their flying taxis are safe, reliable, and ready for prime time.

Look, Rome wasn't built in a day, right? With this new partnership, Archer and KaKaoMobility are taking a giant leap toward making flying taxis a reality in South Korea. And who knows, maybe one day soon, you'll be able to ditch your car and take to the skies for your daily commute. Just imagine the view! And if you happen to be in Seoul, be on the lookout for those flying taxis – they might just be the answer to your traffic woes!