Hyundai E&C will be the first in the construction industry to pursue the creation of a "robot-friendly complex" for a future city where humans and robots coexist.
Hyundai E&C said on the 10th that it has proposed Korea's first "robot-friendly apartment" in Apgujeong District 2 in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Hyundai E&C plans to develop this into a "robot-based smart city model."
From the complex's design stage, it optimized routes and systems with robot operations in mind. Elevators, automatic doors, and even the communications network are designed to link with robots so they can move freely throughout the entire complex. By securing travel space for smooth passage and applying an Internet of Things (IoT)-based control system, robots can move between floors and open and close doors on their own. Full autonomous driving is expected to be realized from roads outside the complex through the underground parking lot, the common entrance, and the elevator to each unit's front door.
Hyundai E&C will pool the capabilities of ▲ Hyundai Motor Group Robotics Lab ▲ Hyundai Rotem ▲ HYUNDAI WIA and other affiliates. The goal is to present a new residential paradigm that supports residents' mobility, convenience, safety, electric-vehicle charging, and parking across daily life. Robots equipped with a physical artificial intelligence (AI) platform will move autonomously throughout the complex and serve as residents' life partners.
An unmanned shuttle featuring Hyundai Motor and Kia's "Shucle" will operate inside the complex. Shucle is Hyundai Motor Group's mobility-on-demand service platform that can flexibly adjust routes and operating times based on real-time passenger demand. It not only improves mobility efficiency within the complex but also provides a safe means of transportation for people with limited mobility.
A "personal mobility robot" capable of customized mobility services will also be introduced. Based on a small autonomous mobile platform, it can carry heavy loads to the front door when residents return from shopping. Through facial recognition and other features, it can deliver safely to the destination without delivery mishaps. Going forward, combined with various solutions, it will guide and transport residents with limited mobility to community facilities within the complex.
For residents' safety, there is an "unmanned firefighting robot" (Hyundai Rotem). It can be deployed in high-temperature and toxic-gas environments, and through a thermal imaging camera and specialized equipment, it responds swiftly even at fire scenes where firefighter entry is restricted, protecting residents' safety and minimizing damage.
An "EV charging robot" that completes a convenient living environment also draws attention. When a vehicle enters the charging zone, the robot opens the charging port on its own, connects the cable, and begins charging. Once charging is complete, it automatically disconnects the cable and sends a notification to the owner, and it also detects in real time any overheating or accident risks that may arise during charging. Residents can complete charging easily without separate operation and without being affected by external conditions.
A "valet parking robot" (HYUNDAI WIA) will be applied to the shopping arcade parking lot within the complex. When a vehicle is left at a designated location, the robot lifts the wheels and parks it in an empty space. Because it can move precisely even in tight spaces, more vehicles can be accommodated in the same area, and parking convenience for shoppers is expected to increase.
A Hyundai E&C official said, "Apgujeong District 2 is the first city where a differentiated robot solution encompassing mobility, convenience, safety, EV charging, and parking is applied," adding, "We will create a future residential culture where humans and robots coexist and various technologies and services are applied."
Hyundai E&C, the first in the industry to commercialize an "autonomous delivery robot service," is expanding its services. In Aug., it applied an integrated indoor-outdoor D2D (door to door) autonomous delivery robot service to "The H Daechi Edelweiss," which was completed. Through the autonomous delivery robot service co-developed with the robotics startup "MOBIN," food and parcels are delivered unmanned from the complex entrance, via the elevator, to each unit's front door.