motor

April 13 (Asia Today) — Chung Eui-sun said robotics and artificial intelligence will be central to Hyundai Motor Group’s future growth, as the company plans to invest $26 billion in the United States by 2028.

Hyundai Motor Group aims to expand beyond its traditional automotive business into “physical AI,” integrating robotics and AI into real-world industrial applications.

In an interview with Semafor published Saturday, Chung said robotics and physical AI are key to the group’s evolution beyond mobility, adding that the company is working to develop robots that collaborate with humans.

The chairman reiterated a human-centered AI robotics strategy introduced earlier this year and confirmed plans to deploy humanoid robots in manufacturing by 2028. The company intends to build an annual production capacity of up to 30,000 units by 2030.

The initiative includes the use of humanoid robots developed by Boston Dynamics, which is affiliated with Hyundai Motor Group.

Chung said robotics and AI will play a growing role in improving manufacturing efficiency and product quality as customer demands evolve. He added that integrating innovation into real-world applications will enable collaboration between humans, robots and AI to enhance productivity.

He also underscored the strategic importance of the U.S. market, calling it a key foundation for long-term resilience and sustainable growth.

The group has invested about $20.5 billion in the United States over the past 40 years and plans to increase that figure to $26 billion by 2028, he said. The company is also advancing software-driven manufacturing innovation through its U.S. production operations.

To address global uncertainty, Chung said the company is pursuing a strategy that combines global expansion with localization, citing shifts in regulations, supply chains and customer demand across regions.

He also reaffirmed Hyundai’s commitment to hydrogen energy, saying rising demand driven by AI infrastructure and data centers makes hydrogen a critical alternative energy source.

The company is expanding its hydrogen ecosystem under its HTWO brand, covering production, storage, transportation and utilization.

Chung emphasized that hydrogen and electric vehicles are complementary technologies, adding that offering diverse energy options will be key to competitiveness in the energy transition era.

He cited quality and brand trust as the foundation of the group’s competitiveness, noting that Hyundai, Kia and Genesis sell more than 7 million vehicles annually across more than 200 countries, supported by 16 global production facilities.

— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

© Asia Today. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution prohibited.

Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260413010003703

When Zyw was diagnosed with MND, he was working as a sommelier and wine buyer in London. His first symptom was his left thumb going numb.

Initially misdiagnosed as carpal tunnel syndrome, Zyw “had no reason to think about this impossible, improbable diagnosis at the time”.

A third of those diagnosed with the devastating disease die within a year, half die within two. Zyw is one of the “lucky ones”.

While his disease has progressed slowly, he has now lost most of the functionality in his hands, and the muscles in his upper body are wasting away.

A return to snowboarding was one of the positives in the dark aftermath of his diagnosis.

Having learned to snowboard as a child on a dry slope in Edinburgh, he competed as a freestyler into his early 20s before a knee injury put paid to that.

“I learned very quickly that the only aspect of this diagnosis in my control is my attitude towards it,” he added.

“I couldn’t affect how quickly the disease was going to manifest itself, how quickly I was going to fall off a cliff, how quickly I was going to lose motor functions.

“When I held on to that positive message, every day became easier and that’s what I’ve done every day since.”

The Davy Zyw Fan Club has been out in full force at the Games, flying British and Scottish flags and donning blue beanies emblazoned with his surname to watch him in action.

On a bus up to the snowboard park, an impromptu chant of “No Davy, No Party” sounded out, renditions of which carried on throughout the day.

Among those singing course-side were Zyw’s wife Yvie and four-year-old son Aleksander, who was “shouting his head off in celebration and admiration” as his daddy whizzed past during the opening run.

That race, however, did not end as he had hoped – in hospital with two broken ribs after a heavy crash, having already injured his knee in official training.

Such is the pain from his broken ribs, he cannot laugh nor sneeze but nothing was going to stop him being back in the start gate for Friday’s banked slalom.

In that, he finished 19th – but that is irrelevant. This Paralympic experience was never about the medals or results.

“Two years ago I wouldn’t have been classifiable as a Para-athlete and in two years’ time I’m not going to be a competitive snowboarder,” he said.

“So I’m in this sort of tragic period of my diagnosis where I’m ill enough to be classified as a Para-athlete, but well enough to still be able to rip down on my snowboard.

“I’m grateful for the fact that the Games have come at this moment, because in a few years’ time it wouldn’t have been possible.”