AJU PRESS - ASIA NEWS HUB

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Kim Pil-soo leesj@ajunews.com

Korean Air, Asiana Airlines ban use of power banks on board SEOUL, January 23 (AJP) - Korean Air and four other airlines affiliated with Hanjin Group will ban the use of portable power banks on board their aircraft from Jan. 26, the group said on Friday, citing safety concerns. Under the revised policy, passengers on domestic and international flights operated by Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Jin Air, Air Busan and Air Seoul will be prohibited from using power banks to charge electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablets, laptops and cameras during flights. Power banks will continue to be permitted in carry-on luggage, subject to existing restrictions on capacity and quantity. However, passengers must take measures to prevent short circuits before boarding, including covering terminals with insulating tape or placing each device in a separate plastic bag or individual pouch. Once on board, power banks must be kept within reach of the passenger, either on their person or in a seat pocket or under the seat in front. Storing power banks in overhead bins will be prohibited, as it could delay a response to signs of overheating and increase the risk of serious incidents, Hanjin said. The five carriers will inform passengers of the new rules through their official websites and mobile applications, notices at airport check-in counters, and alerts via KakaoTalk. Repeated announcements will also be made at boarding gates and during flights to reduce confusion. The decision follows a series of in-flight fire incidents linked to lithium-ion batteries in portable power banks, prompting airlines and regulators worldwide to tighten carry-on safety standards. A Korean Air official said the ban was an unavoidable measure to ensure safe flight operations and urged passengers to cooperate. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-01-23 09:49:46
Jeju Air bans in-flight use of portable battery packs SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - South Korean low-cost carrier Jeju Air said on Wednesday it will ban the use of portable battery packs on board its aircraft starting Jan. 22, citing the risk of lithium-ion battery fires. The measure applies to all passengers on domestic and international flights and prohibits using portable battery packs to charge devices such as mobile phones and tablet computers during flights. Under existing transport ministry guidelines, charging portable battery packs and electronic cigarettes on board is already prohibited. Jeju Air said it is going a step further by banning in-flight use of battery packs entirely to further reduce fire risks. The airline said it will post notices on its website and provide advance alerts via KakaoTalk notifications and during self-service kiosk check-in. Airport check-in counters will also inform passengers of the new restriction. Jeju Air said it has strengthened safety measures related to lithium batteries over the past year. The airline has carried fire-suppression pouches on board since February last year and, under enhanced government safety standards, has required passengers since March to take short-circuit prevention measures and keep battery packs on their person or in a visible location during flights. In August, the airline added temperature-sensitive stickers to overhead storage bins. The carrier also said it has immediately disposed of found items involving lithium batteries, including portable battery packs and e-cigarettes, since February last year. Since April, it has banned wireless hair straighteners from being carried on board due to concerns over excessive heat generation. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-01-21 14:01:54
From India plants to CES, Hyundai Motor Group chairman signals long-term tech ambitions SEOUL, January 14 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun has begun 2026 with a series of overseas visits spanning China, the U.S. and India, underscoring the group’s focus on future technologies including mobility, hydrogen, artificial intelligence and robotics. Hyundai said Wednesday that Chung visited Hyundai Motor’s Chennai plant in southeastern India and Kia’s Anantapur plant in central India, followed by Hyundai Motor’s Pune plant in western India. During the visits, he reviewed production and sales and discussed the group’s mid- to long-term strategy in one of its most important growth markets. Hyundai entered India in 1996 and is marking its 30th anniversary this year. The group holds roughly a 20 percent share of the Indian auto market, ranking second overall, and is pursuing a more localized strategy to drive its next phase of growth. At the Chennai plant, Chung received a business briefing and toured the Creta production line, as well as Hyundai Mobis’ battery-system assembly facility. He said Hyundai’s growth over the past three decades had been built on support from Indian consumers and called for a “home-brand” strategy aimed at making the company a long-term national presence in the market. He urged executives to strengthen differentiation through vehicle quality and customer-focused service, and to foster a culture that encourages persistence and innovation even after setbacks. At Kia’s Anantapur plant, Chung said the brand — now in its eighth year in India — should set ambitious goals and seek to become the preferred choice for Indian consumers in terms of brand appeal, product competitiveness and quality. He emphasized the importance of moving quickly once objectives are set to support sustainable growth and a stronger brand. At the Pune plant, Chung closely reviewed production quality for the new Venue model and underscored the plant’s role in supporting the local economy. He also met with employees and their families, thanking them for their support and crediting their commitment as a key factor in Hyundai and Kia’s success in India. The India trip followed a visit to Beijing on Jan. 4-5, Chung’s first in eight months, where he assessed market conditions and explored strategic cooperation with Chinese partners. He attended a Korea-China business forum at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse for the first time in nine years, coinciding with a state visit by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. During the China visit, Chung discussed cooperation in areas including mobility, hydrogen, batteries and advanced technologies. He met with Zeng Yuqun, chairman of Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., the world’s largest battery maker, to discuss electric-vehicle batteries. CATL supplies batteries for several Hyundai Motor Group models, including the Hyundai Kona EV and Kia Ray EV. He also exchanged views on hydrogen-related business with Hou Qijun, chairman of energy giant Sinopec, and met Zhang Naiwen, chairman of Yueda Group, Kia’s joint-venture partner in China. Chung then traveled to Las Vegas on Jan. 6-7 to attend CES 2026, the world’s largest consumer-technology trade show, where he tracked developments in artificial intelligence and robotics and met with executives from major global technology companies. Among the meetings drawing particular attention was his public encounter with Nvidia Chief Executive Jensen Huang. Hyundai Motor Group and Nvidia have been expanding cooperation, including a contract for the supply of 50,000 Blackwell graphics processing units and efforts under a memorandum of understanding to advance physical AI capabilities, including plans to establish an Nvidia AI technology center in South Korea. 2026-01-14 10:11:06
CES 2026: Hyundai Motor Group unveils in-house AI chips for robotics LAS VEGAS, January 09 (AJP) -South Korea’s Hyundai Motor Group has developed an in-house artificial intelligence chip for its mobility platform, extending its ambitions in robotics and so-called “physical AI.” Hyundai Motor and Kia said they have completed development of an on-device AI chip for robots and are preparing for mass production, marking a strategic shift toward greater vertical integration in next-generation mobility technologies. The automakers’ Robotics Lab said Thursday, local time, that the chip was co-developed with Korea-based AI semiconductor startup DeepX and unveiled at CES 2026 Foundry in Las Vegas. CES Foundry is a newly introduced program at this year’s CES, designed to foster broader discussion around artificial intelligence, blockchain and quantum technologies. According to the lab, the on-device AI chip consumes less than 5 watts of power and is capable of real-time data processing for recognition and decision-making. Unlike cloud-based AI systems, it operates independently of network connectivity, allowing robots to function reliably in environments where connections are unstable or unavailable, such as underground parking garages and logistics centers. The architecture also enables faster response times and offers security advantages. Hyundai Motor–Kia said the chip supports the development of robots optimized for specific services, rather than a one-size-fits-all design. By embedding intelligence directly on the device, the companies aim to improve reliability while reducing dependence on external infrastructure. Hyun Dong-jin, managing director and head of the Hyundai Motor–Kia Robotics Lab, said the lab is pursuing a vision of “robotizing space” to realize physical AI — intelligent machines that can perceive, reason and act autonomously in real-world environments. An internally developed AI controller has already been applied since June 2024 to facial-recognition systems and the DAL-e delivery robot at the Factorial Seongsu complex in Seoul to validate performance and quality. The automakers said the partnership combines the Robotics Lab’s AI and software capabilities with DeepX’s semiconductor expertise, allowing them to balance cost efficiency, performance and supply-chain stability. Securing an optimized chip solution early is expected to support large-scale robot production and reduce exposure to external supply risks. Hyundai Motor–Kia emphasized that robots must ultimately operate in everyday settings to address structural challenges such as population aging, industrial safety risks and labor shortages. The new on-device AI chip is expected to serve as a core building block for a stable physical AI infrastructure. The group is seeking to leverage the automotive value chain it has built over decades to enable mass production of robots, while deepening cooperation with South Korea’s battery industry. Pilot projects are also under way in environments such as airports and hospitals, as part of efforts to expand applications and strengthen the country’s robotics ecosystem. “Hyundai Motor–Kia Robotics Lab is not simply making robots; we are building a sustainable robotics ecosystem,” Hyun said. The aim, he added, is to deliver efficient, low-power robots that create tangible value for users at the final stage of the physical AI pipeline. 2026-01-09 07:45:23
[[CES 2026]] Hyundai Mobis deepens future mobility push with Boston Dynamics, Qualcomm ties LAS VEGAS, January 08 (AJP) - South Korea's Hyundai Mobis has announced a series of strategic partnerships at CES 2026 in Las Vegas aimed at expanding its role in future mobility, including a robotics supply deal with Boston Dynamics and a technology cooperation agreement with Qualcomm. As part of Hyundai Motor Group’s push to build an artificial-intelligence-driven robotics ecosystem, Hyundai Mobis said it has established a cooperation framework with Boston Dynamics and will supply actuators when the next-generation humanoid robot Atlas enters mass production. The move marks Hyundai Mobis’s first customer in its newly launched robotics business and signals its formal entry into the global market for robot components. Hyundai Motor Group said in August last year that it plans to build a new robot factory in North America. Hyundai Mobis said it expects to play a key role in strengthening the group’s robotics competitiveness by leveraging its experience in large-scale manufacturing. In recent years, Hyundai Mobis has sought to expand beyond its core auto parts business into higher value-added areas such as robotics and software-defined vehicles (SDVs), part of a mid- to long-term strategy to respond to rapid changes in future mobility and ensure sustainable growth. The company said it will initially focus on the robot actuator segment, drawing on its vehicle parts design expertise and mass-production capabilities. Actuators are core drive components that execute movement based on controller signals and account for about 60 percent of the material cost of a humanoid robot. Global research firms estimate the robotics market at around 75 trillion won and forecast annual growth of about 17 percent, with the market projected to reach roughly 800 trillion won by 2040. Separately, Hyundai Mobis said it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Qualcomm to cooperate across a broad range of technologies, including SDVs and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). The two companies will accelerate development of a scalable software platform and work toward an integrated SDV solution with improved performance, efficiency and system stability. They will also jointly develop technologies optimized for autonomous driving and autonomous parking, targeting demand in emerging markets such as India, where adoption of ADAS is accelerating as vehicle lineups expand beyond small cars. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-01-08 09:08:08
CES 2026: From delivery robots to driverless taxi - inside Hyundai showroom LAS VEGAS, January 07 (AJP) -Step into Hyundai Motor Group’s CES showroom and robotics is already at work. A humanoid robot sorts objects with precision, a four-legged machine patrols and inspects equipment autonomously, while compact mobility robots labeled MobED Pick and Place and MobED Delivery glide across the floor carrying cargo. Nearby, a fully driverless Ioniq 5 robotaxi prepares for commercial service — all operating as part of an artificial-intelligence system designed to function in real time. That is the scene Hyundai has built at CES 2026, where the group is demonstrating how its robotics portfolio — from factory floors to city streets — can operate as a single, connected ecosystem rather than isolated machines. The group is operating a 1,836-square-meter (about 557-pyeong) booth in the West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center, designed as a lab-style environment that mirrors how robots would perceive, decide and move in real industrial and urban settings. At the center of the exhibit, a next-generation electric Atlas performs precision sorting tasks, adjusting grip strength in real time using vision sensors and AI models. Nearby, Spot autonomously inspects equipment using Orbit AI, simulating patrol and monitoring work at industrial sites. Mobility robotics is showcased through MobED, with concept variants including MobED Pick and Place and MobED Delivery, illustrating how a single platform can be adapted for logistics, material handling and service tasks through interchangeable top modules. Autonomous mobility extends beyond robots to vehicles. Hyundai is displaying a robotaxi jointly developed with Motional, based on the Ioniq 5 and Hyundai’s E-GMP architecture. Rated at SAE Level 4, the robotaxi is set to be deployed this year in Las Vegas for public ride-hailing service. 2026-01-07 07:26:44
CES 2026: Hyundai Motor to start deploying self-developed robots in US plants in 2028 LAS VEGAS, January 06 (AJP) -South Korea's auto conglomerate Hyundai Motor Group will start training its self-developed fleet of robots for full deployment in U.S. assembly lines from 2030, according to its vision on “AI robotics” unveiled at the CES. At a CES 2026 media day held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, the group presented its overarching theme, “AI Robotics, From the Lab to Life,” signaling a shift beyond hardware- and mobility-focused robotics toward what it calls human-centered AI robotics. Hyundai outlined three strategic priorities: expanding human–robot collaboration beginning on factory floors; building an AI robotics ecosystem by integrating the technological capabilities of its group affiliates; and strengthening partnerships with leading global AI companies. The group said it aims to become a leader in “physical AI” by leveraging its broad value chain and product portfolio. To support that push, Hyundai said it plans to establish a Hyundai Motor Group Physical AI Application Center in South Korea, along with a robot finished-product manufacturing and foundry plant based on customized robot technologies developed through physical AI. A Hyundai Motor Group official said the company’s focus is “not what technology can do, but what humanity can achieve through technology,” adding that Hyundai will demonstrate “true cooperation” between humans and robots in line with its corporate philosophy of “progress for humanity.” Hyundai said Atlas, showcased at CES, is expected to play a pivotal role in turning human–robot collaboration into reality across manufacturing and industrial sites. The humanoid robot combines Hyundai’s manufacturing data and production expertise with research and development from Boston Dynamics. The group also introduced a next-generation electric Atlas development model, which adds autonomous learning capabilities and enhanced flexibility. Hyundai said the upgraded model can be applied across diverse work environments, improving efficiency in real-world manufacturing settings. Hyundai identified humanoid robots as the largest future market within physical AI and set a goal of mass-producing the next-generation electric Atlas model to enable large-scale deployment at industrial sites. Hyundai plans to deploy Atlas at production bases, including Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA), with a phased rollout following process-by-process verification. From 2028, the robot will first be applied to tasks with clearly verified safety and quality benefits, such as sequencing work for parts classification. From 2030, Hyundai plans to expand Atlas’s role to parts assembly. Hyundai also said it will open a Robot Metaplant Application Center (RMAC) in the United States this year. Atlas models trained at RMAC are expected to contribute to worker safety and product quality improvements at HMGMA. Hyundai said it has maintained a strategic partnership with Nvidia since January last year and plans to use advanced AI infrastructure and platforms to accelerate innovation and improve development efficiency. Within the group, Hyundai Motor and Kia will provide manufacturing infrastructure, process control systems and production data. Hyundai Mobis will develop precision actuators, while Hyundai Glovis will optimize logistics and supply-chain flows. Hyundai Mobis also plans to supply actuators for Atlas in partnership with Boston Dynamics, marking what the group described as a full-scale entry into the global robot components market. Hyundai said it aims to build a system capable of producing 30,000 robots annually by 2028, accelerating mass production and positioning Atlas as an industrial humanoid robot for large-scale deployment across industrial and commercial markets. Over the longer term, the group plans to use data accumulated through Atlas to enhance learning and usability, expand beyond automotive manufacturing into other industrial fields, and eventually enter the B2C market by developing a general-purpose humanoid robot. Hyundai said its existing robots Spot and Stretch have already proven their usefulness at companies including Intel, Michelin and DHL, and are expected to expand into sectors such as construction, logistics, facility management and energy. Separately, the group announced plans to invest $26 billion in the United States over four years starting in 2025, expanding cooperation with leading U.S. companies in future technologies including robotics, AI and autonomous driving. Hyundai said it expects broader economic cooperation between South Korea and the United States and plans to widen business opportunities to strengthen competitiveness across mobility and future industries. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-01-06 08:00:57
[[CES 2026]] Hyundai Motor wins Best of Innovation Award for autonomous mobility robotics LAS VEGAS, January 05 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor said Monday it won a top honor at CES 2026 for its next-generation autonomous mobility robot platform, MobED, and plans to begin mass production in the first quarter as it targets the future mobility market. The automaker said MobED received the Best of Innovation award in the robotics category. The Consumer Technology Association, which organizes CES, awards Innovation Awards annually after evaluating entries for innovation, design and technology, with Best of Innovation granted to the highest-scoring honorees in each category. Hyundai said it was the first time the company had received a CES Innovation Award since it began participating in the event, adding that the recognition underscored the competitiveness of its robotics technology and products. The company first unveiled a concept version of MobED at CES 2022 and introduced the production model in December at Japan’s International Robot Exhibition (iREX). After about three years of development, Hyundai said the platform was designed for practical use in both business environments and daily life. MobED’s core feature is its ability to maintain stable movement across challenging terrain, Hyundai said. Using an eccentric-wheel-based Drive-and-Lift module, the robot can adjust its body tilt on uneven surfaces or slopes to improve stability. The platform features a simplified design focused on core functions and can be equipped with interchangeable top modules for applications such as delivery, logistics and filming. It also includes a user-friendly interface, including a separate controller with a 3D-graphics touchscreen. MobED measures 74 centimeters in width and 115 centimeters in length, with a top speed of 10 kilometers per hour. Hyundai said it can operate for more than four hours on a single charge and carry a payload of about 47 to 57 kilograms, depending on the model. The platform comes in two versions: a Basic model for research and development in autonomous robotics, and a Pro version that incorporates autonomous-driving technology. Hyundai said the MobED Pro uses AI-based algorithms combined with lidar and camera sensors to enable safe and efficient operation in complex indoor and outdoor environments. Hyundai said it plans to begin mass production of MobED in the first quarter and sell the platform to customers. “The award shows that Hyundai Motor Group’s robotics technology is evolving in ways that enhance everyday life,” Hyun Dong-jin, executive director and head of Hyundai’s Robotics Lab, said in a statement. “We will continue to advance AI-based autonomous robot-driving technology so it can become an innovative solution that brings us closer to customers.” 2026-01-05 09:49:58
Hyundai Motor Group to showcase AI robotics strategy at CES 2026 SEOUL, January 02 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor Group plans to present robotics-centered visions for future mobility at CES 2026, highlighting a broader industry shift from vehicles toward robots and artificial intelligence, industry officials said Friday. Hyundai Motor Group will attend CES 2026, which opens next week in Las Vegas, where it will outline its core strategy for AI-driven robotics. A key highlight will be the first live demonstration of Atlas, the humanoid robot developed by affiliate Boston Dynamics. Hyundai Motor Group and Boston Dynamics plan to begin testing Atlas at Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, the automaker’s manufacturing facility in Georgia, before gradually deploying it at factories in South Korea and other locations. The group is also expected to detail plans to validate robotics technologies through a software-defined factory, using production-line testing to refine and expand its AI robotics ecosystem. Under the strategy, robots would be deployed and verified in manufacturing environments, with operational data fed back into system upgrades. Hyundai Motor Group plans to build out its AI robotics ecosystem in phases, covering robot hardware as well as AI software, services and platforms. Affiliates will also showcase a range of technologies. Hyundai Mobis will present more than 30 mobility-convergence solutions, including its integrated cockpit platform M.VICS 7.0 and electronic control system X-by-Wire, with a focus on securing orders from North American customers. Hyundai Wia is expected to seek new clients by unveiling a future-oriented vehicle climate-control system dubbed “distributed HVAC,” along with next-generation drive components. The growing emphasis on robotics and AI reflects a broader shift in the mobility industry. Several global automakers that attended CES last year — including Toyota Motor, Volkswagen AG, and U.S. manufacturers General Motors, Ford Motor and Stellantis — will not participate this year, while robotics and autonomous-driving companies are expected to draw greater attention. HL Mando, a major South Korean auto parts supplier under HL Group, will operate a joint booth with affiliates under the theme “robots, AI and mobility,” positioning robotics as a future core business. The company plans to present a mid- to long-term roadmap to enter the robotics market, leveraging its decades of experience in automotive components, software capabilities and global supply chain. This year's CES is expected to highlight technologies such as AI, robotics, mobility, digital health and quantum computing, which are increasingly blurring industry boundaries. 2026-01-02 09:29:26
Hyundai Motor marks 40 years in US as tariffs, EV rivals test growth strategy SEOUL, December 29 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor will mark its 40th anniversary in the United States next year as it confronts a convergence of challenges, including a remaining 15 percent tariff, intensifying competition from Tesla and Chinese electric-vehicle makers, the expiration of subsidies and a rapidly evolving race in software-defined vehicles such as autonomous driving. Attention is focused on whether Hyundai Motor Group can navigate these pressures under the leadership of Chairman Chung Eui-sun. Hyundai entered the U.S. market in 1986 with exports of the Excel, South Korea’s first front-wheel-drive passenger car, produced at its Ulsan plant. Emphasizing value pricing, the automaker sold about 160,000 vehicles in its first year and more than 260,000 the following year, quickly drawing attention from U.S. consumers. The early momentum later faded amid criticism over quality issues and an underdeveloped service network. Hyundai Motor Group Honorary Chair Chung Mong-koo subsequently launched a sweeping “quality management” drive aimed at improving quality, safety and performance for customers worldwide, including in the United States. In 1999, the group sought to directly address quality concerns by introducing a 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty, a move that helped reshape its brand image. Since then, Hyundai has garnered major U.S. awards and positive reviews, alongside steady improvements in both quality and sales. This year, 21 Hyundai Motor Group models earned either Top Safety Pick+ or Top Safety Pick ratings in crash tests released by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, giving the group a second consecutive year with the highest number of models recognized among the safest vehicles. In J.D. Power’s 2025 U.S. Initial Quality Study, Hyundai Motor Group recorded the best overall performance among 17 global automotive groups, according to the company. The study is widely referenced by U.S. consumers and is a key benchmark for evaluating vehicle quality. Hyundai Motor Group also said it has been named World Car of the Year for four consecutive years. Automotive News, which is marking its 100th anniversary this year, selected three generations of Hyundai leadership — founder Chung Ju-yung, Honorary Chair Chung Mong-koo and Executive Chair Chung Eui-sun — as figures that have had a major impact on the development of the global auto industry. Chung Eui-sun said his grandfather’s customer-centered management philosophy and his father’s emphasis on quality, safety and research and development are deeply embedded in the group’s management principles. Hyundai sold about 896,000 vehicles in the United States from January through November, putting it on track for a third consecutive annual sales record, the company said. Despite auto tariffs imposed during the Trump administration, Hyundai said it limited price increases and instead responded by expanding local production and adjusting its sales mix. In March, the group held a completion ceremony for Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, or HMGMA, in Georgia, as it moved to establish a U.S. production system with capacity for up to 1.2 million vehicles. Hyundai Motor Group plans to invest $21 billion in the United States through 2028 across automobiles, parts and logistics, steel and future industries. 2025-12-29 14:27:56