Hyundai and Kia recently announced a joint venture and signed a research agreement with six Korean research institutes to form a consultative body that will design and develop mobility solutions to explore the surface of the moon. The announcement comes after the recent successful launch of Korea’s domestically developed rocket in June.
“We have taken the first step towards transforming our vision for robotics and the concept of Metamobility into reality,” said Yong Wha Kim, Executive Vice President, and Head of R&D Planning & Coordination Center of Hyundai Motor and Kia. “We will 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.”
The signing was attended by Chung Kook Park, President and Head of the R&D Division of Hyundai Motor and Kia along with top officials from the six research institutes, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI), Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI), Korea Automotive Technology Institute (KATECH), Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology (KICT) and Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI). Their collaboration is expected to start in August. The joint team will define the concept of moon exploration mobility and core technologies while also developing strategies and measures to operate on the moon. Hyundai and Kia are expected to support the team with their smart mobility tech.
Hyundai and Kia have internally formed a consultative body with their top brass for the design and development of plans for moon exploration and mobility. The required resources will be provided by Hyundai and Kia’s robotics lab which is in charge of robotics development. The two companies are also expected to collaborate on software and hardware development and design, space environment response technology and equipment to conduct missions on the moon.
