Completion of Defense Acquisition Program after 5 Years… “Capable of Vertical Takeoff and Landing”
(Daejeon=Yonhap News) Reporter Park Joo-young – The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) announced on the 27th that Professor Bang Hyo-choong’s team from the Department of Aerospace Engineering has developed key technologies for a manned and unmanned hoverbike capable of vertical takeoff and landing.
The hoverbike, which is a one- to two-person flying motorcycle, is gaining attention as next-generation mobility in future urban air transportation (UAM) systems.
Professor Bang’s research team began developing the hoverbike in November 2019 as part of a research and development (R&D) project by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, completing the project within five years.
The team included KAIST professors Han Jae-heung, Lee Ji-yoon, Ahn Jae-myung, Choi Han-lim, and Lee Chang-hoon, along with Professor Lee Dong-jin from the Department of Unmanned Aircraft at Hanseo University and Professor Park Jong-oh from the Department of Electronic Engineering at Dong-A University.
They secured key technologies related to the optimal design of multipurpose aircraft, hybrid propulsion systems, high-reliability precise navigation and flight control systems, autonomous flight, and fault detection.
To address the shortcomings of battery-based drones, a gasoline engine-based hybrid system was introduced, allowing reliable operation even under external factors such as payloads and wind.
Capable of vertical takeoff and landing, it is not constrained by landing and takeoff positions in complex urban traffic situations.
The research team successfully implemented a guidance technique with high accuracy, where an autonomous flight system selects a safe landing area and automatically lands on a helipad.
It is expected to be utilized for lifesaving and relief operations in areas difficult to access from the ground, as well as for the transport of emergency supplies, military goods transportation, and mission support.
Professor Bang Hyo-choong stated, “We have demonstrated the high practicality of the hoverbike in various environments through high-reliability flight control and precise navigation technologies,” adding, “The hoverbike will surpass existing drone technology and serve as a key juncture leading to future aircraft.”
The technologies developed by the research team will be exhibited for the first time at the “2025 Drone Show Korea” (DSK2025) held at BEXCO in Busan from February 26 to 28 next year.