Hyundai Achieves Milestone: Ioniq 5 Production Commences at the New AI Factory

Hyundai has revolutionized its car production process introducing a groundbreaking system that enables the manufacturing and delivery of cars within just six hours of an order being placed. This innovative approach is implemented in Hyundai's new Innovation Centre in Singapore currently focused on producing the Hyundai Ioniq 5.

Integrating robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) in factories with few employees is one of the main components of this new manufacturing technique. With an emphasis on customization and an aim to improve the overall consumer experience, these AI-enabled plants are made to cater to urban markets. Alpesh Patel the manager of the innovative factory emphasizes that this facility is not just a conventional factory but a comprehensive customer experience center.

The customer journey begins in the 'Ioniq Lounge,' where individuals can create and customize their Hyundai cars. Subsequently, customers are immersed in a virtual reality suite, providing them with a simulation of their chosen car being crafted. A screen then rises to unveil the actual factory floor and the physical car. The experience continues at the on-site restaurant, which serves food made from produce cultivated in Hyundai's robotically maintained Smart Farm. Customers can witness their car being test-driven on the factory's roof test track before the completed vehicle is delivered to the foyer by autonomous robots.

The overarching objective of this advanced production model is to empower the AI system to manage both day-to-day operations and future planning, working in conjunction with a human counterpart based in a digital command center. Patel envisions achieving a state where the AI system is an autonomous entity by 2027, with human involvement focused on confirmation rather than reactive decision-making.

The Singapore factory's production method is marked by flexibility, allowing the simultaneous production of multiple car models on the same assembly line without reconfiguring stations. With the assistance of a workforce comprising artificially intelligent robots, the factory operates efficiently with only 29 technicians during an eight-hour shift, producing a remarkable 70 cars per day.

Patel admits that lower-skilled employment may be lost as a result of this trend towards automation and AI-driven production. However, he highlights the company's dedication to upskilling employees so they can work with AI systems in more technical capacities.

While this tech-centric production setup has proven highly effective in the Singapore Innovation Centre, it is unlikely to be immediately replicated in more traditional factories, such as the Ulsan plant in Korea. Hyundai's production capabilities are mostly based on the Ulsan complex, which employs 34,000 people and produces a remarkable 5,600 cars every day. One of Hyundai's most innovative displays of its dedication to pushing the limits of automotive production and improving the customer experience is the Singapore Innovation Centre.