By Anna J. Park
SINGAPORE — Throughout his state go to to Singapore, President Yoon Suk Yeol visited the Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Heart on Tuesday, aiming to globally showcase Korea’s cutting-edge AI-driven manufacturing expertise.
Positioned in Singapore’s Jurong Innovation District, the innovation middle is a state-of-the-art car manufacturing facility that departs from conventional automobile manufacturing strategies. As a substitute of counting on conveyor belts, it makes use of a “cell” manufacturing system that comes with AI and robotics applied sciences, serving as each a manufacturing website and a analysis lab for growth and testing.
The middle, which opened in November final yr, includes a seven-story tower and a five-story manufacturing space. It reported gross sales of 79.8 billion gained ($59.1 million) in 2023 and has an annual manufacturing capability of 30,000 autos. The ability produces fashions just like the Ioniq 5, Ioniq 5 Robo Taxi, and Ioniq 6.
Upon arriving on the innovation middle, the president was guided by Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun, who guided him by means of an inspection of the autonomous automobile manufacturing course of. The tour highlighted the mixing of AI and robotics applied sciences that drive the modern manufacturing operations on the facility.
Yoon famous that, simply as Ford revolutionized the automotive trade with the conveyor belt a century in the past and Toyota reworked manufacturing with the just-in-time system 50 years in the past, Hyundai Motor Group is now main the subsequent wave of innovation by integrating AI and robotics for autonomous manufacturing. This, he emphasised, positions Hyundai on the forefront of the trade’s future.
The Korean president additionally had the chance to discover a “digital twin manufacturing unit,” a digital expertise that digitally replicates and manages the plant’s operations. He engaged in discussions in regards to the future potential and route of digital twin expertise, emphasizing its position in enhancing effectivity and innovation in manufacturing.
After this, Yoon addressed over 100 attendees, expressing his confidence that the innovation middle will develop into a mannequin for future factories transitioning from conventional manufacturing to AI-driven autonomous manufacturing. He additionally reaffirmed the federal government’s dedication to actively supporting initiatives geared toward enhancing the productiveness of Korea’s automotive manufacturing sector by means of the mixing of AI applied sciences.
Tuesday’s go to aligns with Yoon’s latest coverage priorities, as he has been main the nation’s presidential AI committee, which was established in late September.
After his go to to the Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Heart, the president attended the Korea-Singapore Enterprise Discussion board, co-hosted by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Trade (KCCI) and the Singapore Enterprise Federation (SBF).
Round 250 members attended the occasion, together with outstanding Korean tycoons such because the Hyundai Motor Group chairman, Samsung Electronics Government Chairman Lee Jae-yong, LS Group Chairman Koo Ja-eun, and Hanwha Group Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan. From the Singaporean facet, notable figures included SBF Vice Chairman Andrew Kwan, Surbana Jurong Group CEO Sean Chiao, together with officers from key Singaporean financial ministries. They mentioned varied cooperation initiatives, specializing in digital expertise collaboration and vitality transition efforts.
In his keynote tackle, Yoon emphasised the necessity to broaden cooperation between the 2 nations in areas resembling superior industries, vitality collaboration, and assist for startups.
The Korean president will ship the forty seventh Singapore Lecture, a prestigious platform for international leaders, on Wednesday. The lecture collection, established in 1980, has beforehand featured not solely heads of state but in addition distinguished intellectuals and diplomats resembling Milton Friedman and Henry Kissinger.
Later, Yoon and first girl Kim Keon Hee will host a luncheon and gathering for about 150 members of the Korean neighborhood in Singapore. Following these occasions, they may depart for Vientiane, Laos, to attend the ASEAN Summit, marking the conclusion of their state go to to Singapore.