Hyundai Motor Group to Invest KRW 10 Trillion (USD 7.5 Billion) in AI, Hydrogen, and Robotics Development

On February 23, according to South Korean media outlet The Chosun Ilbo, Hyundai Motor Group has confirmed plans to invest KRW 10 trillion (approximately USD 7 billion) over the next five years. The investment will be used to develop a dedicated hub for future businesses such as artificial intelligence (AI), hydrogen energy, and robotics in the Saemangeum area of North Jeolla Province, South Korea.

The report states that Hyundai Motor Group is expected to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) this week with South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Ministry of Environment, and other relevant government agencies to formally announce the investment plan.

Under the agreement, Hyundai Motor Group will begin investing approximately KRW 10 trillion (USD 7 billion) starting this year to establish facilities for new enterprises over a five-year period. Various South Korean government departments and local authorities will provide support and cooperation. Government officials, local authorities, and senior executives from Hyundai Motor Group are expected to attend the signing ceremony.

According to the report, Hyundai Motor Group’s strategic focus is to build three major pillars for future growth in Saemangeum: artificial intelligence, hydrogen energy, and robotics. Key projects include an AI data center, large-scale water electrolysis hydrogen production facilities, and robotics manufacturing plants.

Discussions are also underway to establish a solar power generation system to support these initiatives. The system will operate under a “local production, local consumption” principle, enabling the company to source affordable, environmentally friendly energy within the region to power the AI data center, hydrogen projects, and other facilities.

Hyundai Motor Group is also pushing forward plans to build a robotics factory in Saemangeum valued at several billion Korean won (multi-million USD range). The group gained significant attention after unveiling its humanoid robot Atlas at CES 2026. The humanoid robot Atlas is developed by Boston Dynamics, a U.S. company now owned by Hyundai Motor Group.