Journalist
Lee Seongjin
leesj@ajunews.com
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Autonomous A2Z posts record revenue on growth in self-driving projects Autonomous A2Z said Wednesday it set a record for annual revenue last year. The company reported about 16 billion won in revenue on a preliminary basis, up about 50% from 10.7 billion won a year earlier. It attributed the increase, ahead of full commercialization of autonomous driving services, to winning central and local government research and development projects, field tests and contract work. Autonomous A2Z said it has posted more than 10 billion won in revenue for a second straight year, demonstrating its ability to execute in the autonomous driving market. It noted that Level 4 fully driverless technology has yet to be commercialized globally, and said its accumulated testing and operations experience could translate into faster monetization once sales become possible. Its operating footprint also expanded. As of the end of last year, the company had received permits to operate a cumulative 81 autonomous vehicles and has run services in 14 provinces and major cities nationwide. That covers about 82% of South Korea’s 17 autonomous driving pilot operation zones, the company said, calling it the largest operating record in the country. Its cumulative autonomous driving distance at home and abroad totaled 934,643 kilometers, which it said is equivalent to more than 23 trips around the Earth. Total riders on its autonomous vehicles last year reached 114,681. The company said it drew about 20,000 users each in key test areas including Anyang, Sejong, Seoul and Incheon International Airport. In Hadong, South Gyeongsang province, a rural autonomous bus carried about 10,000 passengers, the company said, positioning it as a practical option for addressing transportation gaps. It also said it has built real-world operating experience through repeated runs and long continuous driving in varied settings, including urban traffic and tourist areas. Overseas, the company said it became the first South Korean firm to obtain a Singapore autonomous driving license and, working with Grab, launched Singapore’s first autonomous shuttle service on public roads. In the United Arab Emirates, it said it formed the first autonomous driving joint venture by a South Korean company with local AI firm Space42. It also signed a memorandum of understanding with Japanese trading company Kanematsu, and said it is the only South Korean autonomous driving company expanding its business base overseas. Chief Executive Han Ji Hyung said, “2025 was a year when, before commercialization, we were able to validate both our technology and our ability to execute through government R&D and domestic and overseas demonstration projects.” He added, “Based on driving data proven through officially recognized evaluations and figures, and on global business experience, we will lead the advancement and commercialization of autonomous driving, which will be central in the era of physical AI.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-29 08:21:00 -
South Korea’s Five Automakers to Offer Free Vehicle Inspections for Lunar New Year Holiday The Korea Automobile & Mobility Association (KAMA) said Wednesday it will run a “2026 Lunar New Year free vehicle inspection service” with five domestic automakers to help drivers travel safely during the holiday period. The inspections will be offered for three days, from 8:30 a.m. on Feb. 11 to 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 13, with Hyundai Motor, Kia, GM Korea, Renault Korea and KG Mobility (KGM) participating. Renault Korea will begin earlier, on Feb. 9. Hyundai will provide the service at 1,206 partner service shops (Bluehands). Kia will offer inspections at 17 company-run service centers and 743 partner shops (Auto Q). GM Korea will operate through 375 partner service centers. Renault Korea will offer inspections at seven company-run service centers and 361 partner centers. KG Mobility will provide the service at two company-run service centers and 310 partner centers. Customers who visit designated centers during the period can receive checks of engine and climate-control systems, tire pressure and wear, brake and pad wear, coolant and various oils, wipers and fuses. If needed after the inspection, services such as topping up washer fluid will be provided on the spot at no charge. Each automaker will also keep emergency roadside response teams on standby to provide quick support in case of breakdowns or traffic accidents.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-29 08:09:21 -
Kia Says U.S. Tariffs Cut Profit; Bets on Hybrids and EVs to Rebound Kia said U.S. tariffs pushed its operating profit below 10 trillion won for the first time in three years, and it expects its annual tariff bill to remain above 3 trillion won despite a lower rate. The automaker said it plans to expand sales in major markets including the United States, Europe and India and step up cost-cutting to restore operating profit to 10 trillion won this year. In a regulatory filing on Tuesday, Kia reported 114.1409 trillion won in revenue last year and 9.0781 trillion won in operating profit. Revenue rose 6.2% from a year earlier, while operating profit fell 28.3%. On an earnings conference call, Kia said U.S. tariffs cut operating profit by 1.022 trillion won in the fourth quarter. For the full year, the impact totaled about 3.093 trillion won. Kia forecast this year’s tariff burden at 3.3 trillion won to 3.5 trillion won, higher than last year. Although South Korea and the United States agreed to cut the tariff rate to 15% from 25%, Kia said it effectively began paying the tariff in May last year, while it expects to bear the impact for the full year in 2026. Even with uncertainty from U.S. tariffs and rising incentives amid tougher competition, Kia said it will pursue growth by expanding sales of hybrids and electric vehicles. Kim Seung-jun, executive vice president and head of Kia’s finance division, said the company views the third quarter of last year as its low point and said it saw a partial turnaround in the fourth quarter. He said the 15% tariff rate took effect Nov. 1, but “purely” applying the 15% rate did not happen until late November because of inventory at its U.S. sales unit. He said Kia expects improved results starting in the first quarter. For 2026, Kia projected sales of 3.35 million vehicles, revenue of 122.3 trillion won, operating profit of 10.2 trillion won and an operating margin of 8.3%. The company said wholesale volume would rise 6.8% from last year and revenue would increase 7.2%. In the United States, Kia plans to drive growth centered on SUVs and hybrids, citing the Telluride, a new Seltos and additional hybrid models. In Europe, it plans to launch the EV2 early this year and complete a mass-market EV lineup spanning the EV3, EV4 and EV5 to strengthen its EV leadership. In India, it plans to target premium SUV buyers with launches including a new Seltos to bolster its market position. In Europe, Kia set a sales target of 594,000 vehicles, up 11.1% from a year earlier, despite intensifying competition from Chinese and European companies. Kia said that in the fourth quarter, EV sales in Europe surpassed gasoline vehicles for the first time. It said the 11% growth target reflects its expanded EV lineup launched since the second half of last year and higher incentives. Kia said incentives in Europe rose about 10% last year and are expected to increase by a similar pace this year. In the United States, Kia set a target of 892,000 vehicles, up 5% from a year earlier, saying internal combustion engine vehicles and hybrids are replacing EVs as EV subsidies end and environmental regulations ease. It said it plans to increase output of ICE and hybrid models. 2026-01-28 16:24:20 -
South Korea to deploy AI-based military command platform by 2029 SEOUL, January 26 (AJP) - South Korea has launched development of its first artificial intelligence-based command-and-control system as it prepares for the transfer of wartime operational control, defense authorities and industry officials said on Monday. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) and Hanwha Systems held a kickoff meeting on Jan. 23 in Seoul for the Allied Command and Control System (AKJCCS) performance upgrade project. Hanwha Systems won the DAPA-led contract for the project in December. The project calls for a full redevelopment of AKJCCS, a core system used to command and control South Korea-U.S. combined military operations on the Korean Peninsula. The upgraded system will be the first domestically developed command-and-control platform to incorporate AI-based situational analysis and automated decision-support functions, along with a cloud-based server architecture and virtual desktop infrastructure. The enhancements are intended to improve information sharing in an evolving combined-operations environment, enabling commanders and staff to make more accurate and timely assessments and responses, according to Hanwha Systems. South Korea’s military plans to deploy the upgraded AKJCCS by 2029. Hanwha Systems said it aims to play a central role in building a future combined-operations command system led by South Korea, leveraging its experience in command-and-control systems and defense information and communications technology. The kickoff meeting brought together officials from DAPA and Hanwha Systems, as well as representatives from the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the U.S.-South Korea Combined Forces Command and the Republic of Korea Army Command, Control, Communications and Computer Command. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-01-26 14:09:59 -
Hyundai Motor chairman joins Canada envoy team to back submarine bid SEOUL, January 26 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun is joining a special envoy team to support South Korea’s bid for the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project, government and industry officials said on Monday. Chung will depart for Canada later in the day to back the government-led effort, the officials said. A defense-industry envoy team, including Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik and Industry Minister Kim Jeong-gwan, will also leave for Canada on Monday to promote South Korea’s bid for the project. The government requested participation from major industrial groups including Hyundai Motor Group, Hanwha Group, HD Hyundai and Korean Air. Chung will be joined by Hanwha Group Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan and Ju Won-ho, head of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ naval and medium-sized ship business division. The CPSP is a major defense procurement program to build up to 12 diesel-powered submarines. Construction costs are estimated at up to 20 trillion won ($15 billion), while the total value of the project could reach as much as 60 trillion won when including 30 years of maintenance, repair and operations (MRO), according to officials. A consortium formed by Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has been shortlisted alongside Germany’s Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) and is competing in the final stage of the tender. A decision is expected in June. Canada has been seeking industrial offsets as part of the procurement, including investment and other forms of compensation from potential suppliers in South Korea and Germany. Offsets typically involve arrangements such as technology transfers, local production or export opportunities for components as part of major defense contracts. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-01-26 10:30:59 -
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](https://image.ajunews.com//content/image/2026/01/08/20260108083201354738_518_323.jpeg)
[[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