Hyundai Motor teams up with Unity on metaverse factory to innovate productivity

[Photo by Hyundai Motor Co.]

South Korean auto giant Hyundai Motor Co. has joined hands with the world’s leading real-time 3D content developer and platform operator Unity to build a metaverse-based digital-twin factory to apply simulating smart technology to manufacturing.

The two companies signed a memorandum of understanding for establishment of the metaverse roadmap and platform for meta-factory at an event held Thursday on the sideline of the CES 2022 in Las Vegas.

Hyundai Motor expects a virtual factory that mirrors the operation of its real production line to upgrade productivity. The move is also part of its efforts to speed up transformation into a smart mobility solution provider.

Hyundai and Unity aim to build a meta-factory concept, a digital twin of a real-world factory, supported by a metaverse platform. With the introduction, the carmaker will be able to test-run a factory virtually to calculate the optimized operation and solve problems without having to physically visit the factory.

Hyundai Motor plans to apply the meta-factory concept first to Hyundai Motor Global Innovation Center in Singapore (HMGICS) under construction. After the construction of the physical center is completed in the end of this year, the company will complete the establishment of the center’s virtual factory by 2025.

The HMGICS meta-factory is expected to become an open innovation hub for research and development of the overall value chain of the automobile life cycle from order to production and delivery. Hyundai Motor will explore how to improve the manufacturing process using metaverse technology, and Unity will offer factory designs with its real-time image rendering technology and support customized system development.

[Photo by Hyundai Motor Co.]

Beginning with the MOU, Hyundai and Unity will seek ways to expand partnership to bring continuous breakthrough innovations in various other businesses using the metaverse technology. Hyundai plans to keep forging partnership with other global partners such as Microsoft as well to further accelerate upgrade of smart factory infrastructure.

“The real-time virtual twin will permanently change how we live, work, shop and make a positive impact on our planet, representing a significant component of what is often referred to as the metaverse,” said John Riccitiello, CEO of Unity. “Hyundai’s vision for the future, including the digital twin of factory operations, represents a significant technological step forward in manufacturing with unlimited potential in its efficiency.”

Chi Youngcho, president and chief innovation officer at Hyundai Motor Group, emphasized, “HMGICS will become a manufacturing innovation ‘game changer’ through this world class Meta-Factory collaboration. And HMGICS will lead the future innovation by introducing various technologies that will transform mobility paradigm through human-centered value chain innovation.”

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