Photo: Supernal
California is home not just to American AAM (Advanced Air Mobility) companies but also to eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) manufacturers coming from Asia and looking to obtain the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) certification. After Plana Aero, another South Korean player opens its gates in Irvine.
It's official: a new AAM facility starts operating in Irvine, California. It's the engineering headquarters of Supernal, the AAM company that automotive giant Hyundai Motor Group established back in 2020.
At first glance, it looks like it's going to be not just an impressive facility in this emerging industry but also one of the coolest workplaces. Unfolding over 105,000 square feet (9,754 square meters), the company's office area boasts an unconventional, aviation-inspired design.
Picture light fixtures that mimic clouds, flight paths serving as guides for the employees across the office space, and a game room with an aviation-derived interior style. Ergonomic workstations and an eco-cafe are also meant to create a relaxing atmosphere where talented people can feel at home and socialize.
Supernal says it's already employing 200 people in Irvine and plans to expand to 500. This year alone, it's looking to add 100 more people to its team, mainly engineers with expertise in airframe design, electrical system integration, and flight controls.
The Irvine facility will focus on things like powertrain, airframe, and safety systems. In addition to the office spaces, it boasts a separate site for test and evaluation operations, covering 80,000 square feet (7,430 square meters).
Irvine won't be Supernal's only headquarters in the US. It's the first in a series of three facilities. The second is a research and development facility in Fremont, California, and the third one will be located in Washington, D.C., set to operate as a policy and commercial hub.
At the same time, the South Korean AAM company is working with some of the top names in the US when it comes to aircraft technology. Last year, it announced a collaboration with Honeywell Aerospace for Anthem, an innovative cloud-connected cockpit. Echodyne, a radar solution provider, is one of the latest partners that will equip the Supernal eVTOL with its advanced system based on MESA (metamaterials electronic scanning array) technology.
Earlier this year, Supernal had another big reason to celebrate. It was awarded the coveted iF (International Forum) Design Award for its air taxi cabin. Ergonomic seats, a complex lighting system that changes during the different stages of flight, and deployable seat consoles with charging stations and storage compartments are just some of the top-level features inside the Supernal eVTOL.
Supernal designed this award-winning cabin concept together with Hyundai Motor Group's design studio. It also plans to integrate HMG's automotive expertise in manufacturing technologies and automation processes.
At first glance, it looks like it's going to be not just an impressive facility in this emerging industry but also one of the coolest workplaces. Unfolding over 105,000 square feet (9,754 square meters), the company's office area boasts an unconventional, aviation-inspired design.
Picture light fixtures that mimic clouds, flight paths serving as guides for the employees across the office space, and a game room with an aviation-derived interior style. Ergonomic workstations and an eco-cafe are also meant to create a relaxing atmosphere where talented people can feel at home and socialize.
Supernal says it's already employing 200 people in Irvine and plans to expand to 500. This year alone, it's looking to add 100 more people to its team, mainly engineers with expertise in airframe design, electrical system integration, and flight controls.
The Irvine facility will focus on things like powertrain, airframe, and safety systems. In addition to the office spaces, it boasts a separate site for test and evaluation operations, covering 80,000 square feet (7,430 square meters).
Irvine won't be Supernal's only headquarters in the US. It's the first in a series of three facilities. The second is a research and development facility in Fremont, California, and the third one will be located in Washington, D.C., set to operate as a policy and commercial hub.
At the same time, the South Korean AAM company is working with some of the top names in the US when it comes to aircraft technology. Last year, it announced a collaboration with Honeywell Aerospace for Anthem, an innovative cloud-connected cockpit. Echodyne, a radar solution provider, is one of the latest partners that will equip the Supernal eVTOL with its advanced system based on MESA (metamaterials electronic scanning array) technology.
Earlier this year, Supernal had another big reason to celebrate. It was awarded the coveted iF (International Forum) Design Award for its air taxi cabin. Ergonomic seats, a complex lighting system that changes during the different stages of flight, and deployable seat consoles with charging stations and storage compartments are just some of the top-level features inside the Supernal eVTOL.
Supernal designed this award-winning cabin concept together with Hyundai Motor Group's design studio. It also plans to integrate HMG's automotive expertise in manufacturing technologies and automation processes.
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