Chairman of the presidential transition committee Ahn Cheol-soo, left, visits the Hyundai Motor Group Namyang Research Center in Hwaseong City, Gyeonggi Province, together with Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun, second from left, Friday. They are being escorted by the Boston Dynamics four legged robot Spot to the Hyundai Design Center. Courtesy of Hyundai Motor Group
By Kim Hyun-bin
Presidential transition committee Chairman Ahn Cheol-soo and key members of the team visited Hyundai Motor Group's Namyang Research Center, Friday, to check on the latest future technologies under development.
The Namyang Research Center is a key base for Hyundai Motor Group's future mobility R&D. Ahn visited the center to assess the development of eco-friendly vehicles and future mobility, such as electric vehicles (EV), fuel cell EVs, autonomous vehicles, robotics and future aviation mobility (AAM).
After arriving at the research center, Ahn and Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun boarded the company's self-driving car, the Solati Robo Shuttle, and were taken to the Hyundai Design Center.
The Solati Robo Shuttle is a level 4 autonomous driving vehicle, in which the vehicle is controlled based on recognition and judgment over real-time driving conditions. The test drive of the Solati Robo Shuttle was reportedly done in response to Ahn's special interest in autonomous driving technology.
Ahn and others entered the design center escorted by Spot, a four-legged robot developed by Boston Dynamics which Hyundai Motor Group acquired in June 2021. Since last year, Spot has been deployed to car production sites and assists with safety management. In addition, the robot is also engaged in fire suppression activities in the U.S.
"The future mobility industry can become a national strategic industry, succeeding semiconductors and smartphones which are currently the leading industries in the Republic of Korea. It can become the core foundation upon which a science and technology-oriented nation will be built," Ahn said. "I will continue to visit any meaningful science and technology firm regardless of whether it is a large corporation, medium-sized enterprise or small one."
Ahn was briefed on the current status of Hyundai Motor Group's research center and future technology development and shared his opinions on the development of related industries and ways to nurture future R&D personnel.
"The automobile industry is evolving into a new mobility industry by converging with advanced future technologies such as semiconductors, AI, big data, fuel cells as well as with the service sector," Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun said.
"Hyundai Motor Group will contribute to transform Korea into a global innovation leader by strengthening its future mobility competitiveness," he added.
