J. Scott Drennan has been appointed vice president of Hyundai Motor Group’s new urban air mobility (UAM) division.
Drennan will report to Jaiwon Shin, executive vice president and head of Hyundai’s UAM division. In this role, Drennan will lead UAM research and development.
“I am honoured to contribute to Hyundai’s vision of future mobility,” said Drennan. “Since my childhood, I have dreamed of teaming with fellow engineers and designers to develop technological marvels.
“Shin and Hyundai Motor Group have given me the opportunity and great responsibility to do just that.
“In our daily lives, we lose too much precious time in traffic congestion. I want to give that time back to people through safe, accessible and sustainable vertical mobility.”
Prior to joining Hyundai, Drennan spent more than 25 years with Bell Textron and worked on the company’s V-22, AW609 and V-280 vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft.
He most recently served as vice president of innovation at Bell Textron, where he was responsible for developing advanced configurations, technologies and vertical lift missions to advance Bell Textron’s commercial and military business.
“We are fortunate to have Scott join our UAM Division,” said Shin.
“I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with Scott closely in the past and found him not only superb in his technical knowledge and experience but also excellent in leading people.
“Leveraging his vast experience in the VTOL and UAM fields, Drennan will lead the engineering development to turn our vision of urban air mobility into a reality, transforming our life styles for many decades to come.”
Through its UAM Division, Hyundai Motor Group aims to provide smart mobility solutions to address traffic congestion in cities that suffer economic and environmental tolls due to lost productivity and air pollution.
Earlier this year at the Consumer Electronics Show, Hyundai Motor Company presented its vision to offer an integrated mobility solution, including UAM, Purpose Built Vehicles and Hub, which aim to help vitalise cities.
The company also showcased a concept personal air vehicle model built in collaboration with Uber Elevate, following Uber and Hyundai agreement to work together in the aerial ride-sharing field.
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