The Historical Development of Urban Air Mobility and Comparative Product Performance Analysis

Societies have been in motion since the beginning of human history. This desire for movement has undergone various stages of development and transformation over time. Aviation, rooted in humanity's passion for flight, has taken on a new dimension with the emergence of Urban Air Mobility (UAM). Proposed in the 2010s, UAM is a concept characterized by rapid growth and development, innovative technologies, environmental friendliness, and expected to expand further at an accelerated pace. This study examines the historical evolution of the UAM concept. Once the concept is fully understood, a total of eighteen products from seventeen leading companies in the industry were listed. These products were evaluated under four different parameters, and a comparative product performance analysis was conducted. The results from the product performance analysis were grouped under relevant headings. The research identified both technical and non-technical factors affecting the growth of the UAM movement. These identified factors were thoroughly researched, reanalyzed, and an effort was made to understand the underlying causes of the topic. Finally, subjective and objective insights were offered on how the identified challenges might be overcome in the future.