Hyundai Motor Group to Safeguard Servicemembers Using Physical AI

Signing MOU with Army and MOTIE to Expand Advanced Technologies

Exploring and Demonstrating Applications of Physical AI and Advanced Technologies

for Enhanced Safety of Servicemembers and More Efficient Military Support

Hyundai Motor Group is strengthening its collaboration with public, private, and military sectors to enhance the safety of servicemembers and improve the efficiency of military support work.

On August 14, Hyundai Motor Group announced that it had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Republic of Korea Army and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) at Army Headquarters in Gyeryong, Chungnam Province. The agreement aims to expand the use of robotic, physical AI, and advanced technologies.

The signing ceremony was attended by General Kim Gyoo Ha, Chief of Staff of the Army; Lieutenant General Choi Jang Sik, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army; Lee Minwoo, Director General for Industrial Growth Policy at MOTIE (acting in the position); and Lee Hangsoo, Executive Vice President of Hyundai Motor Group.

Hyundai Motor and Kia Yangjae Headquarters. Hyundai Motor Group

The purpose of this agreement is to review the potential applications of physical AI and advanced technologies in defense and to promote the demonstration of these technologies in response to ongoing changes.

In particular, efforts will be made to reduce the burden of dangerous or repetitive support work, allowing servicemembers to focus more safely on their core missions.

With this agreement, Hyundai Motor Group, the Army, and MOTIE will pursue broad cooperation in various areas, including: reviewing methods for applying physical AI in the defense sector; building and piloting testbeds for technology demonstration; conducting joint public-military research on core technologies such as AI data; exploring the use of hydrogen mobility and hydrogen infrastructure; and seeking to connect with the forthcoming 'Saemangeum AI Valley' to expand the physical AI ecosystem.

As for the application of physical AI in defense, a variety of approaches are being examined, including logistics automation, transportation of support supplies, and perimeter and safety inspections.

After review, solutions selected as demonstration projects will be applied to testbeds established within the Army to verify their reliability and practicality in real-world operating environments.

In addition, the Army's Pangyo "AX (AI eXchange) Hub," which is being fully implemented this year, will be used to analyze the data collected during the technology demonstration process, identify areas for improvement, and advance joint civilian-military research.

The military AX Hubs, including the Army's facility in Pangyo, are convergence ecosystems being established in five areas to enable the Army, Navy, and Air Force to quickly integrate cutting-edge civilian AI technology into national defense.

The parties to the agreement have also agreed to discuss the potential use of hydrogen mobility and hydrogen infrastructure. Kia previously completed a test evaluation of hydrogen-powered all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) with the military in May of last year.

Additionally, plans are in place to explore connections with facilities such as the robot manufacturing cluster and AI data center to be established in the future Saemangeum AI Valley.

Image of the medical wearable robot 'X-ble MEX' developed by Hyundai Motor Group for firefighter safety. Hyundai Motor Group

To ensure smooth cooperation, Hyundai Motor Group, the Army, and MOTIE will each take on specific roles in their respective fields.

Hyundai Motor Group will provide personnel and technology for development and demonstration, and will continuously improve performance and usability by incorporating servicemember feedback obtained during the demonstration process.

The Army will offer testbeds for technology demonstration and will support the necessary communications and infrastructure to ensure stable test operations within the military.

MOTIE will establish industrial policies to foster physical AI and advanced technology, and will work to link the domestic robotics industry ecosystem with defense needs.

The parties to the agreement will form a consultative body and assign project managers for each initiative in order to ensure effective execution.

This MOU is expected to contribute to the advancement of the military, raise the maturity of technology through demonstrations in demanding military environments, and provide a foundation for expanding its application to the private sector, including industrial settings.

A Hyundai Motor Group representative said, "This MOU will serve as the basis for cooperation between the public, private, and military sectors in applying physical AI and advanced technologies to the defense field. Through technology demonstration and joint research reflecting on-the-ground needs, we will contribute to building a safe and efficient military support system and boosting Korea's competitiveness in physical AI."

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