Urban-Air Port & LG Reveal Next Generation Vertiport
Integrating the World’s First AI-Enabled Systems
Urban-Air Ports’ robotic Vertical Airfield for VTOL aircraft with integrated LG technologies - Exterior View
Today at Farnborough International Air Show 2024, Urban-Air Port® (UAP) release their industry-leading next-generation vertiport (AirOne), which brings together UAP’s advanced robotic systems and LG Electronics’ AI-powered technologies.
In March 2024, UAP and LG announced a strategic collaboration to power up a new generation of vertiports – an alliance that signalled the global electronics giant’s move into the advanced mobility field. Together, they now present their fully digitally integrated next-generation vertiport. It is the world’s most advanced solution – the first to incorporate AI-enabled systems – and merges cutting-edge technology with customer-centric designs to define the future of air travel.
LG and UAP are developing modular stations that integrate an ecosystem of advanced digital solutions, including adaptive LED signage and transparent OLED displays, interactive kiosks and comprehensive digital management and control systems.
From optimised processes to immersive art installations and seamless digital interfaces, the UAP & LG modular system brings a smarter, more engaging and personalised travel experience. The design includes features such as biometric check-in, interactive lounges, EV-charging hubs and retail stands with dynamic LED walls that change content based on occupancy, improving economic and spatial efficiency.
Commercially viable - the world’s most advanced vertiport infrastructure stack.
Recognising that market viability is the cornerstone of any transport infrastructure, AirOne is commercially ready. Its fully integrated architecture and modular system are designed to support early entry into service capacities, while also future-proofing demand for more VTOLs and increased throughput as the industry matures. It is viable, affordable, scalable and the most efficient way to launch an electric and/or hybrid VTOL service.
The Urban-Air Port Vertical Airfield robotics system provides the highest degree of operational efficiency and capacity, providing operators with a highly sophisticated infrastructure stack within an 80% smaller footprint, at 50% less cost to install and profitable operations with pay-back times vastly faster than any competing system. With in-built LG technologies, operators are easily able to realise non-aeronautical revenues on the Urban-Air Port’s very small footprint.
“Our unique technology, anchored by our robotic Vertical Airfield and stacked hangar system, enables us to design, build and operate our vertiports at a much lower capex than a traditional ground-based, space-hungry horizontal vertiport. Our Vertical Airfield technology allows us to secure sites up to 80% smaller, dramatically cutting costs, but also enhancing the passenger throughput, experience and safety.
With built-in systems, we can reduce the effects of eVTOL downwash and outwash. This means we can install our vertiports across our networks in urban locations safely. With LG, we are proud to lead the Advanced Air Mobility infrastructure sector into the AI and robotics era. We have always led the field in innovation – this is no different.”
Harnessing technology to grow revenue.
Non-aeronautical revenue in this market will be just as important to overall revenue as it is in conventional airports, helping to counter operational costs and facilitate affordable eVTOL travel for all. Accordingly, UAP has developed the beginnings of a commercial ecosystem under the banner of Urban-Air Choice, controlled via an app. By partnering with some of the world’s biggest brands and utilising LG’s advanced digital solutions, it will serve the aspirations of a new generation of travellers with a more connected, intuitive, seamless and environmentally responsible experience, especially when it comes to retail and hospitality.
The digital efficiency of Urban-Air Choice will enable commercial offers and services to evolve with passenger needs, avoiding the inconvenience of the physical and operational limitations currently experienced in other sectors.
“Our partners at LG are aligned with our vision: to give customers the control and flexibility they expect when they engage with our retail partners and services. By harnessing the functionality of the innovative digital solutions of LG, we can go way beyond traditional, cumbersome commercial offers, leveraging the full potential of non-aeronautical revenue opportunities that can exist within our infrastructure. Urban-Air Choice will be able to complement the physical offer with digital solutions.”
Urban-Air Ports’ Ai Enabled Next Generation Vertiport - Exterior View
The collaboration will leverage innovative data-driven management systems, including: LG CLOi Robots to enhance operational efficiency, LG Business Cloud Solutions for remote management of digital signage, LG’s advanced energy storage solutions for reliable and efficient UAM operations, and a host of control room innovations, ranging from comprehensive monitoring and data collection for improved flight bookings to smart building management.
“This next-generation vertiport design showcases the latest technological advancements to create a complete system that is modular and scalable, with an unrivalled passenger and operator experience. Our AI-powered technologies will help convert footfall to revenue, and ensure maximum efficiency of operations.
We’ve optimised every modular element to combine the most cutting-edge technology while retaining a very human interactivity and emotional heartbeat.”
Urban-Air Ports’ Interior View of their Vertical Airfield from the integrated, adjacent & seamless aircraft hangar with MRO and charging.
“Future eVTOL operations will demand fast charging capabilities of multiple MegaWatts to meet industry expectations for aircraft turnaround times, making the charging infrastructure solution one of the most crucial elements.
By partnering, UAP and LG are combining their strengths as world leaders to offer a top-tier solution to these operational challenges. LG’s cutting-edge operational systems, paired with UAP’s patented AirOne solution, will transform the AAM industry.”
Urban-Air Ports’ Self-Check In Lounge powered by LG. Interior view of a departing passenger.
“Today, we become the world’s first AI & robotics vertiport company.
This combination of design, technology and user experience is unrivalled and sets a new global benchmark for Advanced Air Mobility eVTOL and vertiport operators – we are delivering the new gold standard that presents a viable, affordable, but truly sustainable solution to ensure this industry can take flight profitably.”
About Urban-Air Port®
Urban-Air Port is an award-winning infrastructure provider that develops landing and charging infrastructure for new forms of sustainable urban air transport such as passenger and cargo VTOL air taxis and autonomous delivery drones. Its mission is to enable the electrification of aviation by addressing the largest single constraint to sustainable air mobility – ground infrastructure – in order to create a zero-emission mobility ecosystem, significantly cutting congestion and air pollution from passenger and cargo transport.
Urban-Air Port is recognised as a world leader in the Advanced Air Mobility sector, with plans to deliver patented vertiport technology that provides ultra-compact, high-capacity infrastructure: this will revolutionise cities around the world, making them more connected and cleaner, thereby accelerating our green economic future. Urban-Air Port’s technology is proven to respond more effectively to the unique characteristics of electric & hybrid VTOL aircraft and therefore offer safer, quieter and more sustainable vertiport infrastructure than any other provider.
The Urban-Air Port technology-driven “Vertical Airfield” compacts a conventional airfield and allows for safe electric vertical take-off and landing at height, acting like an aircraft carrier. Urban-Air Port vertiports are 80% smaller than any other provider: they provide a modular design for flexible expansion, maximise eVTOL throughput and come with a modular energy storage system – all in all providing an enhanced passenger experience, and optimum performance and range for the eVTOL due to minimised energy consumption during ground operations.
Urban-Air Port’s Air-One project in Coventry, launched in April 2022 and supported by UK Government Research and Innovation funding, was the world’s first fully operational vertiport in such dense downtown location, with over 15,000 visitors and 150 successful flights orchestrated in the complex urban and air environment of downtown Coventry and within Coventry Airport’s Flight Restriction Zone.
The company is backed by major international partners, including Supernal (a part of Hyundai Motor Group) and Directors of M7 Real Estate (part of Oxford Properties). Urban-Air Port’s team of innovators, aeronautical engineers and aerospace experts have worked at companies including Airbus, Foster + Partners, Arup, BAA, Bank of Ireland, Knight Frank, McKinsey, Hyundai Motor Group, Vertical Aerospace, EASA, NATS, Uber, Qatar Airways, H55, Otto Aviation and the US Special Forces & British Army. Visit www.urbanairport.com for more information and follow us on LinkedIn.
About LG Business Solutions
LG Electronics is a global innovator in technology and consumer electronics with a presence in almost every country and an international workforce of more than 74,000 across LG's four companies – Home Appliance & Air Solution, Home Entertainment, Vehicle Component Solutions and Business Solutions. LG is a leading manufacturer of consumer and commercial products ranging from TVs, home appliances, air solutions, monitors, service robots and automotive components to its premium LG SIGNATURE and intelligent LG ThinQ brands, which are familiar names the world over. Visit www.LGnewsroom.com for the latest news.
