Hyundai Robotics Signs MOU with Hyundai Construction for Construction Robot R&D

Hyundai Robotics signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on joint research and development of construction robotics technology with Hyundai Engineering & Construction on the 16th. (From left in the photo: Park Guyong, Director of Technology Research Institute at Hyundai Engineering & Construction (Executive Director), Yoon Daekyu, Director of Robot Research Institute at Hyundai Robotics (Executive Director)) Photo by XXX

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] Hyundai Robotics announced on the 17th that it will join forces with Hyundai Engineering & Construction to develop robots for the construction sector.

Hyundai Robotics, a subsidiary of Hyundai Heavy Industries Group, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on joint research and development of construction robotics technology with Hyundai Engineering & Construction the day before.

Through this MOU, the two companies plan to jointly carry out ▲development of work robots for construction sites ▲mobile service robot business ▲development of core autonomous driving technologies for sites and buildings ▲mid- to long-term business promotion strategies. They will also establish a permanent R&D cooperation system to continuously conduct field verification and commercialization of the developed technologies.

The work robots will be utilized for anchoring (drilling holes), painting, welding, and bricklaying at construction sites. Hyundai Robotics will be responsible for collaborative robots and camera image analysis (vision) technology, while Hyundai Engineering & Construction will handle construction work motion control (manipulation) and application of autonomous driving technology at construction sites.

Hyundai Robotics and Hyundai Engineering & Construction will jointly build an ‘integrated autonomous driving software’ by combining indoor and outdoor autonomous driving technologies. Additionally, the two companies will also consider a mobile service robot business that can provide services such as parcel delivery to residents in completed apartments and offices.

According to the U.S. market research firm Global Industry Analysts (GIA), the global construction robot market is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 16.4% from 2020 and reach $252.5 million (approximately 304 billion KRW) by 2027.

Yoon Dae-gyu, Executive Director of Hyundai Robotics, said, “Through this cooperation, we have expanded the application areas of robot solutions from manufacturing and logistics to construction. We will continue to advance construction robotics based on each company’s specialized technologies in line with the Fourth Industrial Revolution era.”

Park Gu-yong, Executive Director of Hyundai Engineering & Construction, also stated, “In the post-COVID-19 era, we will cooperate with Hyundai Robotics to introduce the concept of automated production similar to manufacturing into construction sites and lead innovation in the construction industry.”