Automotive

• 
  Silicon Valley starup Bluespace joins S. Korean development of self-driving electric bus SEOUL -- Bluespace, a Silicon Valley startup that develops software systems for autonomous vehicles, joined hands with LG Upus (LGU+), a mobile carrier in South Korea, and two other firms to develop and commercialize a self-driving electric bus. They agreed to carry out demonstration by the third quarter of 2021. Bluespace signed a memorandum of understanding with LG Upus (LGU+), Woojin Industrial Systems, which develops electric train parts and solutions, and MetroPlus. The first 2020-11-11
• 
  All Hyundai cars to use connected car technologies from 2022 SEOUL -- Connected car technologies using a computer platform from Nvidia, an American tech company, will be applied to all models to be produced by South Korea's Hyundai auto group from 2022, heralding the beginning of a new era in the auto industry. An integrated infotainment system allows drivers to control audio, entertainment and air conditioning, along with real-time navigation and safety features. Connected cars aim to provide vehicle occupants with an optimized driving 2020-11-10
• 
  Hyundai auto group aims to commercialize unmanned air cargo system in 2026 SEOUL -- South Korea's Hyundai auto group will receive applications from domestic firms to commercialize an unmanned air cargo system in 2026. A vertical take-off and landing method will be adopted to carry medium-sized cargo to innovate urban logistics services. An unmanned aerial system (UAS) can deliver cargo more quickly and securely than ground transport. By November 22, Hyundai will receive applications from domestic companies to participate in the development of airfram 2020-11-09
• 
  Hyundai auto group establishes fuel cell truck distribution networks in China SEOUL -- In an effort to secure a stable sales network in overseas markets, South Korea's Hyundai auto group has established distribution networks in northern and southern China respectively in cooperation with regional partners, with the goal of selling some 27,000 fuel cell trucks by 2030. The auto group said it has signed a memorandum of understanding with regional partners in the Yangtze Delta, which comprises Shanghai, southern Jiangsu province and northern Zhejiang provinc 2020-11-04
• 
  Hyundai Motor works with SM to host virtual showcase for new Tucson model SEOUL -- Hyundai Motor, a leading carmaker in South Korea, will host a virtual event showcasing the new model of its mid-size sport utility vehicle Tucson through joint work with SM, a domestic entertainment powerhouse, using augmented reality and extended reality technology The online event will be a performance by a K-Pop artist using SM's digital concert live-streaming platform called "Beyond LIVE" that allows artists and fans to communicate in real-time, Hyundai 2020-10-28
• 
  Hyundai reveals one-of-a-kind mini EV for kids designed after new concept car SEOUL -- Hyundai Motor, a leading carmaker in South Korea, has showcased a mini-sized electric vehicle for kids that bears the design of "45," a concept model revealed at a global motor show in 2019. According to Hyundai's statement released through its news blog on October 27, the single-seat mini electric vehicle is packed with two DC motors capable of moving it at a maximum speed of seven kilometers (4.3 miles) per hour. Another fun feature is Hyundai's 2020-10-27
• 
  Ulsan to develop and demonstrate autonomous bus technology SEOUL -- Through a state-funded project, the southeastern port city of Ulsan will develop and demonstrate technology related to road infrastructure and traffic systems for self-driving shuttles that will be tested over roads stretching over 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) that cover urban areas and tourist hot spots. Ulsan said in a statement on October 20 that the project will begin this month and end in December 2022 after testing the efficacy of developed technologies. It would inte 2020-10-20
• 
  S. Korea eases regulations to expedite EV battery recycling industry SEOUL -- South Korea eased regulations to expedite the recycling of discarded electric vehicle batteries as it undergoes a major change to gradually reduce the registration of internal combustion engine vehicles and promote the adoption of clean energy vehicles. The Seoul government has revealed a roadmap to increase the number of electric vehicles to 433,000 by 2021. State data showed that the number of discarded EV batteries is expected to reach about 80,000 in 2029. Currently, 2020-10-19
• 
  KT powertel releases solution capable of monitoring driver's status SEOUL -- For vehicle management by corporate customers, KT powertel, a subsidiary of South Korea's top telecom company KT, worked with Movon, a producer of video-based advanced driver assistance systems, to release a solution capable of monitoring the status of drivers in real-time. The solution called "Power Driver Status Monitoring (DSM)" prevents accidents by looking at pupils and facial expressions through a terminal installed in the vehicle to sound an alarm whe 2020-10-15
• 
  Hyundai auto group aims to produce upgraded fuel cell truck SEOUL -- South Korea's Hyundai auto group unveiled a new roadmap for fuel cell trucks, saying it would produce an upgraded model capable of traveling up to 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) on a single charge. The group started shipping the first batch of hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks to a client in Switzerland in July. Hyundai has modified its Xcient truck to produce a fuel cell model capable of delivering a travel range of about 400 km on a single charge. The Xcient fuel cell 2020-10-14
• 
  Hyundai auto group promotes Chung Eui-sun as chairman SEOUL -- South Korea's Hyundai auto group promoted Chung Eui-sun as chairman to replace his bed-stricken father who has stayed away from daily group affairs since he disappeared from public eyes in 2018 amid rampant speculation about his health. The promotion heralded the completion of the hereditary third-generation succession of group leadership. The group's board approved the appointment of Chung Eui-sun, 49, as chairman at a meeting on October 14. Since he became the 2020-10-14
• 
  Hyundai holds virtual groundbreaking ceremony for innovation center in Singapore SEOUL -- South Korea's Hyundai auto group held a virtual groundbreaking ceremony for its innovation center in Singapore that will act as an open innovation lab for future mobility research and development. A landing port for urban air mobility will be located on top of the center. Construction will be completed by the end of 2022. The Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Center in Singapore (HMGICS) will develop innovative systems that combine advanced technologies such as artificia 2020-10-13
• 
  Hyundai Motor upcycles discarded materials into fashionable products SEOUL -- Through collaboration with trendy foreign fashion brands, Hyundai Motor, a leading carmaker in South Korea, launched a sustainable fashion collection by upcycling discarded materials from automotive manufacturing and scrapping into a variety of marketable products such as jewelry, jumpsuits, working vests, bags and clothing. For its fashion collection called "Re:Style 2020," the auto company said it has selected "forward-thinking" fashion brands includ 2020-10-08
• 
  Hyundai Mobis invests $25 million in Envisics for development of AR head-up display SEOUL -- Hyundai Mobis, the parts-making wing of South Korea's Hyundai auto group, will invest $25 million in Envisics, a British dynamic holography pioneer and auto head-up display developer. The two companies aim to jointly develop an augmented reality head-up display optimized for autonomous driving for mass-production in 2025. As a crucial partner in the development of Hyundai Motor's self-driving technology, Hyundai Mobis has accelerated the development of sensors, 2020-10-07
• 
  S. Korea to develop precision map of ordinary roads for autonomous vehicles SEOUL -- South Korea will develop a precision map covering about 1,400 kilometers (8,699 miles) of ordinary roads as part of efforts to build a nationwide map database for autonomous vehicles. The digital map will be added to the database of precision maps. Map data is available for autonomous vehicle technology developers through a dedicated online platform. Precision maps are three-dimensional digital maps containing on-road information such as the locations of traffic lights, bui 2020-10-05
• 
  Hyundai auto group forms new unit to develop ultimate mobility vehicles SEOUL -- South Korea's Hyundai auto group has formed a new unit called "New Horizons Studio" to develop ultimate mobility vehicles (UMVs) targeting customers who have a need for travel in unconventional and off-road terrain. The studio envisions building vehicles to wander with unprecedented mobility by reimagining how vehicles might traverse the world, Hyundai said in a statement.. "We aim to create the world’s first transformer-class vehicle, also known 2020-09-29
• 
  GS Caltex works with Lotte Rental to provide EV charging service for rental cars SEOUL -- GS Caltex, a major refiner in South Korea, joined hands with Lotte Rental, the rent-a-car wing of Lotte Group, to provide an electronic vehicle charging service for rental cars using existing car chargers. GS Caltex said in a statement on September 23 that the company signed a memorandum of understanding with Lotte Rental to provide an EV charging service for rental cars. GS Caltex operates some 40 charging stations with 46 rapid chargers. Lotte has about 8,000 EVs for sho 2020-09-23
• 
  Hyudai's EV trucks to be used for cargo transportation in Thailand SEOUL -- Electric cargo trucks produced by South Korea's Hyundai auto group will carry goods from distribution centers to convenience stores in Thailand. After a pilot project this year, EV trucks will be put into commercial operation with ordinary trucks next year. Hyundai Glovis, a logistics wing of the auto group, said it has forged a strategic business partnership with All Now, a logistics unit of Charoen Pokphand Group, the top conglomerate in Thailand, that runs some 12, 2020-09-17
• 
  Hyundai auto group ships fuel cell systems to non-automotive companies in Europe SEOUL -- South Korea's Hyundai auto group began shipping its proprietary fuel cell system that would be used by non-automotive companies in Europe to produce a stationary power supply system and mobile generators, reinforcing the group's push for accelerating a hydrogen society. With the fuel cell system, GRZ Technologies, a Swiss firm with hydrogen storage technology, would produce a stationary power supply system for building electricity at peak times. An unnamed energy 2020-09-16
• 
  ​Hyundai Motor rolls out new marketing strategy to satisfy home-dwellers SEOUL -- Instead of visiting showrooms, consumers can now watch Hyundai Motor's auto-related events at their homes. The company has opened "Channel Hyundai," a non-contact service that can be accessed from 190 countries by using a dedicated smart TV app or other devices such as PCs and smartphones. Hyundai Motor, a top carmaker in South Korea, has rolled out a new marketing strategy that allows car-enthusiasts to remotely enjoy showroom events with smart TVs. "We 2020-09-14