Moviation, a South Korea-based developer and operator of urban air mobility (UAM) flights, lounges and platforms, has signed a letter of intent to purchase Eve Air Mobility's urban ATM (air traffic management) solution. The software will enable the implementation and scalability of UAM by providing critical traffic management services.

Moviation has recently launched the Vonaer UAM service platform, through which it is currently using helicopters to provide services and accumulate know-how in urban aviation operations. It plans to implement UAM services through eVTOL aircraft after 2025.

The agreement comes as Eve's urban ATM concept has been adopted as part of Korea's K-UAM Grand Challenge, a phased demonstration programme in which UAM vehicle safety and traffic management solutions are tested in urban conditions and environments for suitability to support the commercialisation of UAM in 2025.

“South Korea is one of the first countries to begin laying the groundwork for urban air mobility, and this collaboration with Moviation will help demonstrate the value of urban ATM technology to safely begin and scale UAM operations in Korea,” says Eve vice president of sales and government affairs David Rottblatt. “Eve's urban ATM solution, based on existing air traffic control software for piloted, passenger carrying aircraft, provides services for air navigation service providers, urban authorities, fleet operators, vertiport operators and other UAM stakeholders.”

"Both companies will be committed to contributing to the global advancement of the UAM industry through the UATM systematic accumulation and dissemination of data,” says Moviation CEO Min Shin. “Moviation is dedicated to delivering a secure and reliable urban air mobility service by leveraging the latest technology. This includes the seamless integration of the urban air traffic management system, achieved through rigorous testing and the systematic accumulation of flight data, in close collaboration with Eve.”

From before take off to after landing, the urban air environment will count on integrated systems, services and technologies being developed by Eve to enable the safe launch of an efficient and predictable ecosystem to support eVTOL operations alongside many other airspace users. In the future, the advancement of infrastructure and regulation will rely on these network management services to enable autonomous flight.

Eve has engaged Atech, Embraer's air traffic control technology and system integrator company, to support the development of the urban ATM software solution.

The company is also continuing to collaborate with regulators, customers air navigation service providers, fleet operators, vertiport developers, airports and other UAM ecosystems stakeholders globally to advance concepts and develop technology to support initial operation and scaling of UAM operations from an ATM perspective.