LG U+, Plana jointly research data transmission tech for urban air mobility

South Korea's LG Uplus Corp. and Plana, a domestic startup for urban air transportation (UAM) craft, have signed a business deal on joint research on telecommunication-based transmission of UAM data.

Plana is the country's lone developer of hybrid-based vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) electric propulsion aircraft. Its craft uses next-generational sustainable aviation fuel to emit 80% less CO2 emissions than conventional helicopters.

Under their agreement, both companies will cooperate in development of data transmission technology between the UAM traffic management platform and aircraft and joint collection of empirical flight data connected with the platform. They will also secure a test bed to show aviation communication technology and conduct R&D of technologies to transmit real-time tracking, aircraft status and weather data between aviation electronic equipment and traffic management platforms.

The UAM traffic management platform verifies the capacity to manage urban air traffic such as traffic management in corridors, or paths through which aircraft move to their destinations, and avoidance of collision. Both companies will also secure empirical flight data such as those of aircraft flights and high-altitude 5G/LTE coverage.

"By incorporating into UAM aircraft communication unseen in conventional aircraft, we plan to maximize both flight safety and customer convenience," said Jeon Young-seo, head of LG Uplus' Corporate Service Development Lab.

Write to Sang-Eun Lee at selee@hankyung.com