Hyundai Motor and Kia Developing Lunar Surface Exploration Mobility

Known for their mobility expansions via technologies like robotics and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), Hyundai Motor and Kia are now expanding their vision to explore the surface of the moon. 

The two companies will work together with an external consultative body formed through the joint research agreements made with six Korean research institutes. 

According to the companies’ statement, this new development follows Korea’s successful launch of a domestically produced rocket in June.

Said collaboration is expected to start in early August, and the consultative body will oversee the concept of lunar exploration mobility and major core technologies.

Of which, they will be developing and reviewing specific strategies and operation measures, and will advance their existing technologies and engineer new solutions to operate on the moon.

Expertise will be brought to bear across numerous areas, including exploration equipment, software for mobility operation and remote communication functionality.

At the same time, Hyundai Motor and Kia have also formed an internal consultative body that will support the external consultative body with their smart mobility technologies.

Resources will be from their Robotics Lab, and they’ll work on software and hardware design and interpretation, space environment response tech, and special equipment for lunar explorations.

That said, the multilateral agreement to develop mobility for exploring the moon's surface represents a seminal moment in the history of Hyundai Motor and Kia.

Significantly, one that expands their vision for future mobility, including Robotics and AAM, to areas beyond the Earth. 

Hyundai and Kia also expect to secure proprietary technologies for future mobility businesses in the process of the new lunar exploration mobility robotics development.