In a bid to develop surface exploration mobility solutions for Moon, Hyundai and Kia have signed joint research agreements with six Korean research institutes and formed a consultative body. The announcement follows Korea’s successful launch of a domestically produced rocket in June.
The duo aims to expand the scope of human movement experience beyond traditional means of transport and beyond the bounds of Earth to further contribute to the progress of humankind and help create a better future, noted Yong Wha Kim, Executive Vice President and Head of R&D Planning & Coordination Center of Hyundai Motor and Kia. Kim said, 'We have taken the first step towards transforming our vision for robotics and the concept of Metamobility into reality.'
Under the multilateral research agreement, the participants from the private and Government sectors will integrate their knowledge and capabilities to significantly advance their existing technologies and engineer new solutions for the Moon exploration mobility.
With collaboration expected to start as early as August, the consultative body will define the concept of lunar exploration mobility and major core technologies while developing and reviewing specific strategies and implementation measures to operate on the moon. Hyundai Motor and Kia will support the consultative body with their smart mobility technologies.
Resources used will be brought to bear from Hyundai and Kia’s Robotics Lab in charge of robot development. Hyundai and Kia will also collaborate on software and hardware design and interpretation, space environment response technology, and special equipment for conducting lunar exploration missions. The two OEMs noted that this mission will help them accelerate the delivery of smart and sustainable mobility solutions on Earth.