Journalist

Lee Seong-jin
  • CES 2026: From delivery robots to driverless taxi - inside Hyundai showroom
    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
    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
    [[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
    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
    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
  • KAI signs $69 million deal to upgrade Philippines FA-50PH jets
    KAI signs $69 million deal to upgrade Philippines' FA-50PH jets SEOUL, December 26 (AJP) - Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) signed a contract with the Philippines on Friday to upgrade 11 FA-50PH fighter jets for about 93 billion won ($65 million). The deal includes aircraft performance upgrades and follow-on logistics support for jets delivered between 2015 and 2017, with work to be completed by 2029, the South Korean aircraft manufacturer said. The upgrade will strengthen the FA-50PH's ability to operate precision-guided weapons, extend its range and sustained-operations capability, and improve network-based joint-operations performance, according to KAI. A total of 23 FA-50PH aircraft, including additional jets contracted in June, are expected to contribute to the Philippine Air Force's airspace defense and modernization efforts. The upgrade reflects requirements drawn from the Philippine Air Force's operational experience and is aimed at improving aircraft performance and operational efficiency. The project reflects ongoing cooperation based on aircraft capability, stable follow-on support and long-term partnership, KAI said. The company said the program demonstrates its ability to serve as a "total solution provider," covering the full life cycle from development and production to follow-on support. Follow-on support and upgrade capabilities over an aircraft's 30- to 40-year service life are increasingly seen as key to export competitiveness, with such costs reaching two to five times the acquisition cost, KAI noted. The company has operated performance-based logistics programs for about 15 years, from the South Korean Air Force's KT/A-1 to the T-50 and Surion aircraft families, demonstrating improvements in availability and reductions in operating and maintenance costs. KAI has expanded its global support operations through Iraq's T-50IQ contractor logistics support program in 2022, a performance-based logistics contract for the Philippines' FA-50PH last year, and Indonesia's KT-1B service-life extension program this year. "This contract once again confirms the trust and cooperative relationship between the Philippine Air Force and KAI," CEO Cha Jae Byung said in a statement. "We will continue to expand our presence in the global defense market through tailored upgrades and systematic follow-on support." * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-26 15:50:48
  • Korean automaker KGM partners with Samsung SDI on developing EV battery packs
    Korean automaker KGM partners with Samsung SDI on developing EV battery packs SEOUL, December 23 (AJP) - South Korean automaker KG Mobility (KGM) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Samsung SDI to form a strategic partnership aimed at developing and commercializing electric vehicle battery packs. Under the agreement, the two companies will jointly develop cylindrical nickel-cobalt-aluminum (NCA) battery packs and cooperate closely on high-voltage battery pack development, testing and production. The project will use Samsung SDI’s cylindrical 46-series NCA cells, which have a diameter of 46 millimeters. Samsung SDI said the cells offer long driving range and fast charging through high energy density, while improving safety and durability under a wide range of driving conditions. KGM said the cells incorporate high-capacity, high-nickel NCA cathode materials along with Samsung SDI’s proprietary silicon carbon nanocomposite (SCN) anode material, which reduces swelling, increases energy density and extends battery life while maintaining safety. Beyond the battery pack development program, KGM and Samsung SDI said they plan to pursue a longer-term partnership. This includes joint product planning based on Samsung SDI battery cells, cooperation on vehicle lineups, a global branding strategy for overseas markets and a joint review system for emerging technologies. Kwak Jeong-hyeon, head of KG Mobility’s business strategy division, said in a press release that the partnership will help the automaker respond to rapid changes in industry conditions and government policies, including the diversification of battery materials. 2025-12-23 09:46:36
  • KAI-backed AI firm Meissa raises $7 million ahead of planned 2026 IPO
    KAI-backed AI firm Meissa raises $7 million ahead of planned 2026 IPO SEOUL, December 23 (AJP) - Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) said on Tuesday that Meissa, a drone- and satellite-based geospatial artificial intelligence company in which it is a strategic investor, has completed a 9.7 billion won ($7 million) pre-IPO equity financing round. The deal brings Meissa’s cumulative funding to 35 billion won, the company said, adding that the proceeds will be used to upgrade its business operations. Meissa is targeting an IPO in the second half of 2026. As Meissa’s second-largest shareholder, KAI has invested about 8 billion won to date, while gradually expanding technical cooperation with the company across defense software and space-related projects. The latest investment aligns with KAI’s mid- to long-term strategy to internalize core technologies by combining Meissa’s geospatial AI capabilities with KAI’s major aerospace and defense hardware platforms, the company said. Meissa is developing a satellite operations and preprocessing solution designed to collect and analyze large volumes of imagery generated by KAI’s next-generation mid-sized and small-satellite programs in real time, converting the data into immediately usable information. The company said it plans to build an end-to-end infrastructure covering satellite data processing, distribution and utilization, and to strengthen its competitiveness in the satellite imagery solutions market. KAI also plans to integrate Meissa’s automatic 3D map generation technology into its flight simulator hardware to create more realistic virtual training environments and internalize a digital twin solution for simulators. 2025-12-23 09:23:09
  • Hankook Tires Hungarian plant donates tires to local community
    Hankook Tire's Hungarian plant donates tires to local community SEOUL, December 22 (AJP) - Hankook Tire & Technology said on Monday that its Hungary plant has donated 28,000 tires to local government bodies as well as nonprofit and charitable organizations under a corporate social responsibility initiative launched in 2012. The tire firm said said the initiative reflects the environmental, social and governance (ESG) management philosophy of the company and supports sustainable development in the Hungarian community. This year, the plant provided tire donations to around 130 public agencies and organizations, including groups focused on public safety and social welfare, it said. Recipients included child health organizations such as the Peter Cerny Foundation, which specializes in the rescue and transport of premature infants, and the Saint Martin Children’s Ambulance Service, which provides emergency care for seriously ill children. The company said the donations help ensure the reliable operation of their vehicles. Hankook Tire said it also expanded support to disaster response and environmental protection groups, including the Hungarian Water Rescue Service, the Delta National Disaster Rescue Team and the World Wide Fund for Nature. Additional recipients included volunteer neighborhood watch groups and fire departments, a foundation supporting people with disabilities, and animal protection organizations. Since establishing its Hungary plant in 2008, Hankook Tire has carried out community-focused initiatives across the country each year, including tire donations, infrastructure improvement projects, support for vulnerable households and youth scholarship programs, the company said. 2025-12-22 16:01:35
  • Estonia taps Hanwha Aerospaces Chunmoo rocket system in $320 mil. arms deal
    Estonia taps Hanwha Aerospace's Chunmoo rocket system in $320 mil. arms deal SEOUL, December 22 (AJP) - Hanwha Aerospace has signed a contract worth about 440 billion won ($320 million) to supply its Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher system to Estonia, the company said on Monday. Under the agreement, Hanwha Aerospace will deliver six Chunmoo launcher systems along with three types of guided missiles with ranges of 80 kilometers, 160 kilometers and 290 kilometers. The company said it plans to pursue localization in Estonia, including partial local production and the provision of maintenance, repair and overhaul services, as European defense procurement becomes increasingly bloc-oriented. The deal was underpinned by technology validated through exports and operational deployment of its K9 self-propelled howitzer, as well as South Korea’s defense diplomacy. It cited a memorandum of understanding signed in October between the defense ministries of South Korea and Estonia on the acquisition of the Chunmoo system as a key step toward the contract. Katri Rausepp, a senior official at Estonia’s defense investment agency, said the agreement would help strengthen the country’s military capabilities amid heightened regional security concerns. “In a rapidly changing security environment, securing strong and rapid response capabilities is Estonia’s top security priority,” she said in a press release, adding that the introduction of the Chunmoo system would significantly enhance Estonia’s defense posture. Son Jae-il, chief executive officer of Hanwha Aerospace, said the contract followed the earlier export of the K9 howitzer and reflected continued trust from the Estonian government and military. “Working closely with the South Korean government, we will continue efforts to expand into new defense export markets,” Son said. Hanwha Aerospace said it aims to use the Estonia deal as a foothold to market the Chunmoo system across the Baltics and northern Europe, including Norway, Latvia and Lithuania. 2025-12-22 09:45:25