Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Partner with Seoul National University to Build a 'Software Defined Factory'

MOU Signed on the 13th for Software-Centric Factory Implementation

Hyundai Motor Company and Kia are joining forces with Seoul National University to drive innovation in manufacturing technology.

The E-FOREST Center of Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Manufacturing Solutions Headquarters announced on the 16th that it signed an MOU for the implementation of a Software Defined Factory (SDF) with the Seoul National University Precision Machine Design Joint Research Institute at the Seoul National University Next Generation Automobile Research Center on the 13th.

E-FOREST is Hyundai Motor Company and Kia's smart factory brand, which pursues innovation in manufacturing systems by organically connecting all elements. Hyundai Motor Company and Kia aim to revolutionize manufacturing systems by introducing automation technologies utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, as well as human-friendly smart technologies, with the broader goal of advancing the entire mobility industry.

Under this agreement, Hyundai Motor Company, Kia, and Seoul National University will cooperate in the joint research and development of core technologies for the implementation of SDF.

The specific areas of cooperation include: ▲Manufacturing Artificial Intelligence (Manufacturing AI), ▲Large Language Models specialized for manufacturing (LLM), ▲Predictive Health Monitoring (PHM), ▲Digital Twin, and ▲Simulation-based production optimization.

Lee Jaemin, Head of the E-FOREST Center at Hyundai Motor Company and Kia, stated, "Through our collaboration with Seoul National University, we expect to strengthen our core technological competitiveness for smart factory implementation and accelerate global manufacturing innovation."

Ahn Seonghoon, Director (Professor) of the Seoul National University Precision Machine Design Joint Research Institute, emphasized, "By integrating Seoul National University's innovative robotics and AI-based autonomous manufacturing technologies into Hyundai Motor Company's global mobility manufacturing environment, we will contribute to the establishment of a next-generation smart manufacturing ecosystem."

Hyundai Motor Company and Kia I-Forest Center and Seoul National University Precision Machine Design Joint Research Institute officials are taking a commemorative photo after signing the MOU. Photo by Hyundai Motor Company Kia