Supernal opens R&D facility in Fremont

Supernal LLC (the Company), Hyundai Motor Group's (HMG) Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) company, announced today the opening of its primary R&D facility in Fremont, Calif. This marks the third — and final — facility Supernal will open this year, following announcements of the Company's engineering headquarters in Irvine, Calif., and policy and commercial hub in Washington, D.C.

Supernal selected Fremont due to its proximity to Silicon Valley's renowned tech ecosystem. The Company's 72,000-square-foot facility — located in the Scott Creek Business Park — serves as a home base to more than 100 employees across its battery, intelligent systems, autonomy and core operations teams. Primarily focused on AAM R&D, Supernal's Fremont-based employees are working to address the unique challenges and opportunities within battery technology for electric air travel applications.

“Batteries are the linchpin of Advanced Air Mobility and critical to powering the next generation of flight, which we see as everyday electric air travel,” said Jaiwon Shin, president of Hyundai Motor Group and CEO of Supernal. “Fremont, with its vibrant tech ecosystem, offers a robust talent pool that will enable Supernal to continue advancing the power and energy capabilities of safe aviation-grade batteries.”

Supernal's battery efforts are crucial to the development of its electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle. The Company, which was established in 2020 as the Urban Air Mobility Division of Hyundai Motor Group, is taking an “open ecosystem approach” to developing lightweight and powerful batteries that meet commercial aviation's high safety standards. This involves harnessing in-house talent and helping to grow the pool of aviation suppliers in this emerging vertical.

Advanced Mobility Careers

Supernal plans to hire more than 20 employees in Fremont this year. The Company is seeking engineers with experience in autonomy, battery development and intelligent systems.

Fremont Facility Design

Supernal's R&D facility in Fremont is emblematic of a shift in corporate workplace design, prioritizing functionality, choice and a sense of belonging. At the heart of this new approach is a design philosophy referred to as “kinship,” which aims to foster community and encourage collaboration among employees.

The facility's diverse workspaces have been strategically planned to accommodate the preferences of current and future workforces, offering various work and interaction options. From spaces for unplanned interactions to an environment that fosters a visible culture of health and well-being, every design feature serves a clear purpose. Areas of respite and a balanced mix of individual and collaborative spaces underline the company's dedication to both creativity and efficiency.

Thoughtful amenities, such as a gym, rest pods, EV charging stations and meditation rooms, are complemented by panoramic mountain views and the inclusion of greenery and plants throughout, bringing nature into the space. The Company's commitment to sustainability is further demonstrated through green initiatives, such as a microgrid to capture and recycle energy.

Supernal's office space was designed in collaboration with two San-Francisco-based design firms, RMW Architectures and Interiors and Studio O+A.