Sterilizing Car Interiors with Human-Safe UV Light: Hyundai Motor and Kia Unveil World-First Technology

Vehicle UVC Lamp Sterilization: "Plasma Care UVC"

Exceptional Sterilization Power with Low Penetration, Safe for Human Skin

On June 11, Hyundai Motor Company and Kia unveiled a new technology called "Plasma Care UVC," which sterilizes the interior space of vehicles occupied by people using ultraviolet (UVC) light. They successfully implemented a plasma lamp system capable of emitting a wavelength of ultraviolet light that is harmless to humans and targets only bacteria.

Hyundai Motor Company and Kia unveiled a new technology, 'Plasma Care UVC,' which disinfects the interior space of vehicles occupied by people using ultraviolet C (UVC) light on the 11th. The operation of 'Plasma Care UVC.' Hyundai Motor Company

Sterilization technology using UVC has already been used in home appliances such as cup and toothbrush sterilizers. It has also been applied to the armrest compartments and crash pad storage areas in vehicles like the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Carnival. Existing technology uses ultraviolet light in the 255–280 nm (nanometer) range produced by LEDs, which is highly effective for sterilization. However, because it can be harmful if it comes into direct contact with skin or eyes, its use has been limited to sterilizing small objects in sealed spaces with restricted human contact.

The newly developed "Plasma Care UVC" utilizes a plasma lamp system to generate far-ultraviolet (Far-UVC) light in the 200–230 nm range, which is difficult to achieve with LEDs. This technology not only provides excellent sterilization but is also safe for use around humans to the extent that it can be used in hospitals and schools. As a result, it enables real-time sterilization of a car's interior even when people are present. Its low penetration means that it reaches only the outer layer of skin and does not penetrate deeply into the body.

Additionally, Plasma Care UVC helps to reduce unpleasant odors inside the vehicle. Bacteria and microorganisms produce odor-causing substances during their growth process, but Plasma Care UVC effectively removes these substances during sterilization, creating a more pleasant environment.

Hyundai Motor Company and Kia unveiled a new technology called 'Plasma Care UVC' on the 11th, which disinfects the interior space of vehicles occupied by passengers using ultraviolet (UVC) light. The image shows 'Plasma Care UVC' installed in a PV5 vehicle. Hyundai Motor Company

Based on their own technological expertise, Hyundai Motor Company and Kia have optimized the Far-UVC lamp and control system for automotive environments, miniaturizing the system so that it can be installed in vehicles while ensuring power efficiency and durability. To enhance safety, they have also incorporated a special dual optical filter that blocks potentially harmful wavelengths. This filter allows only Far-UVC wavelengths to pass through, completely blocking all other wavelengths, making it even safer for use inside vehicles.

On the same day, Hyundai Motor Company and Kia released a video explaining the "Plasma Care UVC" technology and showcasing its various applications. The video highlights the technology's safety, durability, and sterilization performance, and introduces use cases in a range of mobility environments, including the demonstration vehicle Kia PV5, school buses for children, and fruit delivery vehicles. It also suggests the potential for hygiene management technology to be extended across purpose-built vehicles (PBVs).

Han Jangju, Senior Researcher at Hyundai Motor Company and Kia’s MSV Interior Design Team 2, stated, "Plasma Care UVC is a technology developed to ensure safe sterilization not only in enclosed spaces but also in open interior spaces with occupants present. It can serve as an interior hygiene management solution, providing a pleasant travel experience in various future mobility environments, such as autonomous driving and purpose-built vehicles."

Hyundai Motor Company and Kia plan to conduct thorough validation of the "Plasma Care UVC" technology and review plans for implementation in actual vehicles.

Hyundai Motor Company and Kia unveiled a new technology called 'Plasma Care UVC' on the 11th, which sterilizes the interior space of cars occupied by passengers using ultraviolet (UVC) light. Plasma Care UVC sterilization effectiveness evaluation result. Hyundai Motor Company

Hyundai Motor Company and Kia unveiled a new technology called 'Plasma Care UVC' on the 11th, which sterilizes the interior space of a car occupied by people using ultraviolet (UVC) light. Measuring the wavelength energy of 'Plasma Care UVC'. Hyundai Motor Company

Meanwhile, to verify the sterilization performance and safety, Hyundai Motor Company and Kia carried out a variety of tests ranging from component-level to full-vehicle evaluations in collaboration with accredited testing and research institutions. Through the Korea Testing Laboratory (KTL), they assessed spatial sterilization performance in an 8-cubic-meter chamber simulating a vehicle interior and confirmed that the system reduced airborne viruses by 96.8% after just 30 minutes of operation. This demonstrated the possibility of sterilizing not only harmful bacteria on object surfaces but also the entire space.

Through joint research with the Seoul National University Center for Agricultural and Life Sciences Startup Support, they also evaluated the surface sterilization performance of the Plasma Care UVC lamp itself. When pneumonia bacteria were exposed to Far-UVC light, 99.9% were killed after 30 seconds, and complete sterilization was achieved after more than 60 seconds, proving its powerful sterilization capability.

In cooperation with the Korea Automotive Technology Institute (KATECH), Plasma Care UVC was installed in a Kia PV5 vehicle, and tests conducted under real-world conditions confirmed that 99.9% of E. coli bacteria were eliminated after 40 minutes of exposure at a distance of 700 mm.

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