Last week Hyundai announced that it’s teaming up with Aptiv to jointly develop an autonomous car platform, but now it looks like Hyundai is looking even further into the future, with the launch of its new urban air mobility division. Hyundai has appointed Dr. Jaiwon Shin, an aeronautics engineer, as Executive Vice President and Head of its new division.

“Having worked on cutting-edge aviation research and development at NASA for 30 years, I am very excited and humbled by the opportunity to now shape urban air mobility strategy at Hyundai Motor Group,” Dr. Shin said about his new role. “The new team at Hyundai will develop core technologies that will establish the company as a driving force in urban air mobility, a sector that is expected to grow into a market worth USD 1.5 trillion within the next 20 years.”

Hyundai expects that Shin’s expertise in revolutionary airframe, engine, aviation safety, and air traffic management technologies will help it take a lead in the urban air mobility sector. “The new business unit will develop core technologies and innovative solutions for safe and efficient airborne travel.”