Hyundai Motor Group to Establish Innovation Hub to Lead Robotics, AI, and Hydrogen Energy in Korea
- HMG Newsroom
- 2026.02.27 (KST)
- 분량13min
- 조회수 110Views
- Group signs MoU with Korean government and Jeonbuk State to invest nearly KRW 9 trillion in Saemangeum area of Gunsan City, starting 2026
- Advancing Korea’s transition to robotics, AI-driven and energy-centric future through transformative projects:
- Investment expected to generate KRW 16 trillion and create approx. 71,000 jobs in economic effect
SEOUL, February 27, 2026 – Hyundai Motor Group (the Group) announced today it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the South Korean government and Jeonbuk State to establish an innovation hub in the Saemangeum area of Gunsan city.
This strategic move positions the Group as a leader in robotics, AI and energy solutions, with plans to invest approximately KRW 9 trillion beginning in 2026 to construct a cutting-edge industrial complex. Through this initiative, the Group aims to pioneer the seamless integration of advanced AI and hydrogen energy transformation to advance human progress.
“What we're building in Saemangeum will reshape not just a region, but Korea's industrial future. Hyundai Motor Group brings together the manufacturing excellence, AI capabilities, and hydrogen energy expertise needed to establish a truly advanced industrial ecosystem. This is how we translate our commitment to 'Progress for Humanity' into reality.” – Jaehoon Chang, Vice Chair of Hyundai Motor Group
What is Hyundai Motor Group Planning in Saemangeum?
The Group will establish a major innovation hub dedicated to advancing robotics, AI, hydrogen energy, solar power and AI-driven smart city solutions. A significant portion of the investment will focus on new businesses based on these technologies, contributing to the development of Korea’s future industrial competitiveness. Through expanded investment across various regions, the Group aims to stimulate local economic growth and lay the foundation for the sustainable growth of Korea and its mobility industry.
Why Was Saemangeum Chosen for This Investment?
Saemangeum is a strategic location for this transformative project due to its abundant renewable energy resources and comprehensive transportation infrastructure, including rail, port and airport connectivity.
This investment is a core initiative within the Group’s broader plan to invest KRW 125.2 trillion in Korea from 2026 to the end of 2030, announced last year.
Who Attended the Signing Ceremony?
The signing ceremony was attended by key government officials and Hyundai Motor Group executives, including:
- Government Officials: Jae Myung Lee, President of the Republic of Korea; Kyunghoon Bae, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT; Yun-duk Kim, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport; Jung-Kwan Kim, Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources; Sungwhan Kim, Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment; Eui-Keum Kim, Administrator of the Saemangeum Development Investment Agency; and Kwan Young Kim, Governor of Jeonbuk State.
- Hyundai Motor Group Representatives: Euisun Chung, Executive Chair; Jaehoon Chang, Vice Chair; Gang Hyun Seo, President and Head of Corporate Planning Office; Sung Kim, President and Head of Strategy and Planning Division; Juncheul Jung, President and Head of Manufacturing Area; and Eunsook Jin, President and Head of ICT Management Division.
The investment will be allocated across five key areas:
| Investment Area | Amount (KRW) | Details |
|---|---|---|
| AI Data Center Infrastructure | 5.8 trillion | Processing massive datasets for autonomous driving and robotics |
| Robotics Manufacturing Cluster | 400 billion | Complete robot systems production and foundry services |
| Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) Electrolyzer Plant | 1 trillion | Large-scale clean hydrogen production |
| Solar Power Infrastructure | 1.3 trillion | Supporting energy-intensive operations |
| AI Hydrogen Smart City Development | 400 billion | Integrating advanced technologies into urban ecosystems |
The Group targets the AI data center and solar power infrastructure to break ground in 2027 and reach completion by 2029. The PEM electrolyzer plant is slated to break ground the same year, commence operations in 2029, and undergo phased capacity expansion thereafter. The robotics cluster is expected to begin construction in 2028 and be completed in 2029. The Group is in dialogue with the funding partners, including the Korea evelopment Bank, to structure financing for the project.
How Will the AI Data Center Advance Physical AI?
A high-capacity AI data center is central to the strategy, serving as the essential infrastructure for implementing physical AI across autonomous driving and robotics.
Key features will include:
- GPU Computing Power: Phased development scaled to 50,000 units.
- Massive Storage: For vast amounts of data required for core information learning, Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) development, and smart factory implementation.
- Integrated Platform: Creating a virtuous cycle that enhances the speed and stability of research and product development by leveraging critical data across the entire value chain.
By consolidating and processing large-scale learning requirements across these multiple technological domains, the facility will establish a foundation for accelerating physical AI innovation.
What Will the Robotics Manufacturing Cluster Entail?
To implement customer-tailored robotics, the Group will establish a comprehensive robotics manufacturing cluster designed to translate its manufacturing expertise and proven innovation capabilities into advanced production systems. The cluster will:
- Manufacture approximately 30,000 units annually, featuring a foundry operation plant and a component supply zone.
- Leverage the Group’s manufacturing solutions and smart logistics powered by autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs).
- Verify and train robots at the Robot Application Center — to be established in Korea —using AI-based software validation before deployment, ensuring continuous improvement toward smarter, more reliable systems.
- Support automotive component suppliers’ transition into robotics components manufacturing, strengthening the global competitiveness of Korea’s domestic robotics industry.
How Will Hyundai Motor Group Catalyze Korea’s Hydrogen Economy?
Capitalizing on the region’s renewable energy resources, the Group will construct a 200 MW-class PEM electrolyzer plant to produce clean hydrogen at scale, establishing Korea’s energy self-sufficiency and accelerating the nation's transition to a hydrogen economy.
The facility will deliver:
- Large-scale hydrogen production leveraging on-site renewable energy resources.
- Supporting hydrogen supply infrastructure including refueling stations and distribution networks.
- Direct supply capability to diverse future mobility solutions including trams, buses and demand-responsive transport (DRT) services.
- Foundation for establishing integrated hydrogen ecosystem across production, supply, storage and utilization.
To accelerate Korea’s broader transition to a hydrogen economy, the Group plans to systematically expand electrolyzer capacity across regions, targeting 1 GW total capacity domestically. It has already commenced construction of its Ulsan Fuel Cell Plant for manufacturing PEM electrolyzers and hydrogen fuel cell components, with completion targeted for 2027.
The Group’s proprietary PEM electrolyzer technology, developed through domestic R&D efforts, has achieved over 90 percent localization — a significant milestone establishing Korea’s technological independence and export capabilities in green hydrogen production.
Through these interconnected investments, the Group is building a comprehensive hydrogen ecosystem that positions Korea as a global leader in clean energy production and hydrogen-powered mobility.
How Will the Innovation Hub Be Powered Sustainably?
To power these transformative initiatives and ensure operational sustainability, the Group will develop a gigawatt-scale of solar power capacity by 2035.
The solar portfolio strategy includes:
- Scaling up from the Group's existing involvement in the 99 MW solar facility since 2021.
- Providing reliable, predictable baseload power for large-scale data and energy-intensive operations.
- Supporting the Group’s carbon neutrality and RE100 commitments.
How Will These Technologies Create a AI Hydrogen Smart City?
The AI Hydrogen Smart City will integrate the Group’s entire technological portfolio into a cohesive industrial ecosystem where AI, hydrogen and robotics converge.
The city integrates six critical elements through the D.E.S.I.G.N. framework:
- Demand: Creating new requirements for power, data, and robotic solutions
- Experience: Drawing on the Group's world-class manufacturing expertise
- Supply Chain: Building integrated robotics and hydrogen energy ecosystems
- Infrastructure: Leveraging Korea's transportation, digital and logistics networks
- Government: Aligning with national strategic priorities and policy initiatives
- Network: Enabling public-private partnerships and global expansion
The city will feature:
- A localized energy system powered by hydrogen produced on-site, leveraging hydrogen power generation technology to enable energy independence across the region
- Deployment of Physical AI to enable seamless integration of AI-powered systems across transportation, logistics, safety and daily urban living.
The Group plans to expand its smart city solutions and urban AI applications globally based on the city-scale demonstration experience gained in Saemangeum.
What is the Expected Economic Impact of This Investment?
The Saemangeum investment is projected to generate substantial economic benefits and promote balanced regional development.
The investment is expected to create:
- KRW 16 trillion in total economic impact.
- Approximately 71,000 jobs across direct, indirect and induced employment in Korea.
The concentration of cutting-edge facilities will position the region as a global innovation hub and generate medium and long-term competitive advantages for Korea’s industrial future.
What is the Group’s Broader Strategy for AI and Robotics?
At CES 2026, the Group unveiled its AI Robotics Strategy to lead the emerging Physical AI industry. The Group is strengthening strategic collaborations with industry leaders including NVIDIA and Google DeepMind, combining world-class automotive manufacturing expertise with cutting-edge AI and hydrogen technologies to lead the transformation of how people work, travel and live in a sustainable future.
Through this mid-to-long-term investment, the Group expects to advance related industries and contribute to strengthening Korea’s position as a global innovation hub.
