Hyundai Motor Unveils Robot, Accelerating Chung Eui-sun's 'Mobility Business Restructuring'

Hyundai Motor Group's Mobile Robot 'Tiger' to Be Unveiled on the 10th

[Asia Economy Reporter Changhwan Lee] Hyundai Motor Group completed the blueprint of Chairman Chung Euisun's vision for a 'future mobility solution company' by unveiling the robot vehicle 'TIGER (Transforming Intelligent Ground Excursion Robot)' on the 10th.

TIGER is the first outcome presented by Chairman Chung, who focused on the potential of the robot market, and is interpreted as a signal that the future mobility business is progressing rapidly.

Chairman Chung expects a significant portion of the group's future revenue to come from robot-related businesses. In 2018, he selected the robot and artificial intelligence (AI) fields as one of the five future innovative growth sectors and has been focusing on expanding the robot business.

At a town hall meeting with employees held last October, he said, "In the future, I think automobiles will account for 50%, 30% will be personal aerial vehicles (PAV), and 20% will be robotics, and within that, the company will mainly transform into a service provider."

Hyundai Motor's acquisition of Boston Dynamics, the world's number one robot company, for 1 trillion won last December was also a decision made directly by Chairman Chung. This was the first merger and acquisition (M&A) he made after being appointed as the group head in October last year. Hyundai acquired 80% of the shares from SoftBank, and it is known that Chairman Chung was so proactive in the M&A that he personally took 20% of the shares with his own funds.

New Horizons Studio in Silicon Valley Unveils 'TIGER' for the First Time

New Horizons Studio, which developed TIGER, is an organization Hyundai Motor established in Silicon Valley, USA, last September to develop future mobility.

TIGER, which combines intelligent robot technology with wheels, is highly likely to be used in Hyundai Motor Group's delivery or logistics business in the future. Because it is designed to be accessible and unmanned, it can more easily traverse rough and dangerous terrains that ordinary vehicles cannot reach.

As shown in the video Hyundai released that day, combining it with unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with propellers or wings enables even faster movement.

Hyundai Motor Group unveiled the robot car 'TIGER (Transforming Intelligent Ground Excursion Robot)' on the 10th.

John Suh, Executive Director of New Horizons Studio, explained, "TIGER is an autonomous platform capable of transporting various types of materials, goods, and equipment," adding, "It can deliver products in urban areas, transport emergency supplies over long distances, and perform various research functions."

Another advantage is the adoption of an open innovation approach. New Horizons Studio stated that TIGER is being developed through open innovation with leading companies in AI-based engineering design such as Autodesk and concept design specialist Sundberg-Ferar.

With Autodesk, they collaborated on the design aspect using AI-based 'generative design' technology to enable lightweight and robust 3D printing manufacturing of TIGER's legs, wheels, chassis, and tires, while Sundberg-Ferar participated in external styling, body, chassis, leg component design, and software development.

Hyundai Motor Group is rapidly attempting to transform itself from a simple automobile manufacturer into a future mobility solution company.

At the CEO Investor Day held the day before, Kia President Ho-sung Song stated, "Kia will now establish itself as a brand that provides customers with innovative mobility experiences beyond just manufacturing and selling cars," adding, "To this end, we will rapidly expand eco-friendly future vehicle businesses such as electric vehicles and purpose-built vehicles (PBV)."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.