Hyundai Movex to lead S. Korea’s unmanned robot project

South Korea’s Hyundai Movex Co. was selected to lead the design of a high-precision large autonomous mobile robot (AMR) platform and integrated drive module demonstration project, part of South Korea’s 2024 materials and components technology development support initiative.

The South Korean government will oversee the project, backed by a 9.4 billion won ($7 million) budget, with 7 billion won provided by the Korea Planning & Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology (KEIT).

Hyundai Movex will lead a consortium of five organizations in joint research and development.

By 2027, Hyundai Movex aims to develop and demonstrate a large-scale AMR platform and drive modules, focusing on producing three types of AMRs capable of transporting 2 tons, 5 tons, and 10 tons, emphasizing localizing core technologies.

The high-precision AMRs, particularly those capable of transporting over 10 tons, are gaining attention not only as logistics robots but also as next-generation mobility solutions.

Global demand for Hyundai Movex’s AMRs and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) that follow fixed routes is increasing, driven by their advantages in logistics centers and manufacturing environments.

Hyundai Movex has developed various types of AGVs since establishing its Cheongna R&D Center in 2019.

Write to Hyung-kyu Kim at khk@hankyung.com