South Korea’s Hyundai Motor Group (HMG) unveiled its newly developed ‘Plasma Care UVC’ system, which the company claims is the world’s first in-vehicle sanitisation technology that uses a plasma lamp to sanitise vehicle interiors and reduce odours, even when occupants are onboard.
The automaker pointed out that “unlike conventional ultraviolet sterilisation systems, which can pose risks to the skin and eyes through direct exposure, HMG’s newly developed Plasma Care UVC utilises far-ultraviolet C (Far-UVC) light in the 200–230 nanometre (nm) range. This specific wavelength delivers high energy for effective sanitization, while its limited penetration depth means it remains on the outer keratin layer of human skin without reaching deeper layers. Bacteria and viruses lack this protective barrier, allowing Far-UVC light to penetrate and destroy their DNA.”
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The company said that it has carried out comprehensive testing to verify the Plasma Care UVC’s performance, adding that the system effectively targets bacteria and microorganisms, as well as removing odour-causing substances, creating a more pleasant cabin environment.
HMG said it successfully adapted Far-UVC technology for use in vehicle cabin environments by developing a compact, durable system powered by a specialised plasma lamp and reinforced with advanced safety controls.
The company pointed out that while conventional UVC (255–280 nm) is restricted to enclosed spaces, such as toothbrush sterilizers and vehicle glove boxes, because direct human exposure to this wavelength can be harmful, Far-UVC (200–230 nm) is designed for use in occupied environments such as hospitals and schools. However, applying Far-UVC to open vehicle cabin spaces required addressing several key challenges, such as the confined cabin space, high concentrations of electronic components, and its close proximity to passengers.
HMG said it overcame these challengers by adopting a plasma lamp to generate Far-UVC (200–230 nm) wavelengths, which are difficult to achieve with conventional LED technology. The company said it optimised the system for in-vehicle use by reducing its size, while improving power efficiency.
HMG said it worked to ensure the system’s reliability under high vibrations, temperature fluctuations, and demanding driving conditions, and applied a specialized optical filter to provide an additional layer of protection, which ensures that only Far-UVC wavelengths are emitted.
