Hyundai Motor Group (HMG) has agreed to establish a joint research partnership with some of South Korea’s leading academic institutions in the field of robotics, including Seoul National University, Pohang University of Science and Technology and the Korea Institute of Science and Technology.

Through the Robotics Joint Research Lab, the partners will collaborate in future robotics projects including improving technologies relating to mobile robots and fostering a robust robotics research ecosystem.

An HMG spokesperson said in a statement: "With the cooperation of the country's leading robotics research institutions, we aim to enhance robotics technology and work towards creating diverse markets in the service robotics sector.” The automaker will participate in the project through its Hyundai NGV industry-academia cooperation body.

HMG this week is also hosting its E-Forest Tech Day 2024, an annual new exhibition showcasing the group’s latest smart factory manufacturing technologies. In addition to Hyundai Motor and Kia Corporation, six other HMG companies are participating in the event - including Hyundai Mobis, Hyundai Rotem, Hyundai Wia, Hyundai Autoever, Hyundai Glovis and Hyundai Transys.

This year’s the event is showcasing the group’s vision of its future transition to a Software-Defined Factory (SDF), as well as the latest developments in terms of Software Defined Vehicles (SDVs), AAM (advanced air mobility) and robotics.

The exhibition will include separate presentations on new manufacturing technologies, a software user conference and seminars for professional partners and startups aimed at facilitating information sharing and collaboration. A total of 9,000 participants are expected to attend the event, including HMG group employees and delegates from partner firms, universities and government institutions.