Automotive

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  Hyundai Mobis develops foldable steering system for bigger space in driver's seat SEOUL -- Hyundai Mobis, a parts-making wing of South Korea's Hyundai auto group, has developed an innovative system that can fold the car's steering wheel and place it on the dashboard. The system can move up to 25 centimeters (9.8 inches) back and forth to secure bigger space for the driver's seat. In an autonomous driving mode, the driver can rotate the seat 180 degrees to create an environment for relaxation and conversation with passengers in the rear seat, Hyundai M 2021-10-12
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  Fintech company Toss acquires troubled mobility startup to benchmark Singapore's Grab SEOUL -- The operator of Toss, a leading fintech startup in South Korea, acquired a troubled mobility startup to disrupt a market dominated by the mobility service wing of the country's web service giant Kakao. The goal is to seek synergy between fintech and mobility services like Grab, a ride-hailing and logistics service in Singapore. Viva Republica said it has signed a deal to acquire a controlling 60 percent stake in Value Creators & Company (VCNC), which runs Tada, fr 2021-10-08
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  SKC dumps idea of setting up joint venture with British silicon anode producer Nexeon SEOUL -- SKC, a chemical material unit of South Kora's SK Group, has dumped the idea of setting up a joint venture with Nexeon, a British battery materials company with a unique silicon anode technology, due to objection by the board of directors. Yet, the company vowed to push for the development of next-generation anode materials. SKC said in a regulatory filing on September 30 that the proposed joint venture with Nexeon was voted down at its board meeting a day earlier. The 2021-09-30
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  DB Hitek embarks on research into GaN and SiC used for automotive semiconductors SEOUL -- DB Hitek, a foundry company in South Korea, has embarked on research into silicon carbide and gallium nitride semiconductors, as a shortage in a disrupted global supply chain highlighted the strategic importance of automotive semiconductors. Gallium nitride (GaN) is used as a key part of power amplification devices for mobile communication and high-performance military equipment. Due to high power density and voltage breakdown limits, GaN is emerging as a promising candid 2021-09-30
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  GV60 drivers can use Samsung phones as digital key powered by ultra-wideband SEOUL -- Drivers of GV60, an electric sport utility model released by Genesis, the luxury brand of South Korea's Hyundai auto group, can use Samsung's new Galaxy smartphones as a digital car key powered by ultra-wideband technology, which is a short-range, wireless communication protocol using radio waves to operate, much like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Ultra-wideband (UWB) transmits radio waves at a much higher frequency, enabling highly accurate spatial awareness and directional 2021-09-30
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  LGES develops new all-solid-state battery technologies to advance commercialization SEOUL -- The battery-making wing of South Korea's LG Group developed innovative technologies that can advance the commercialization of all-solid-state batteries that use composite-type solid electrolytes instead of liquid electrolytes, using micro-sized silicon particles which are comparatively cheap and easy to use. All-solid-state batteries are seen as a next-generation power source for electric vehicles as solid electrolytes are nonflammable and more stable. They can have a 2021-09-24
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  LG Electronics acquires Israel's cybersecurity platform developer Cybellum to bolster car component business SEOUL -- LG Electronics strengthened its component business for vehicle hardware and software by acquiring Israel's cybersecurity platform developer Cybellum in a deal that would reach about $110 million. The home appliance maker regards cybersecurity as an important element in next-generation vehicles which are evolving into complex systems connected with numerous components LG Electronics said it has signed a contract to secure a 63.9 percent stake worth $89.46 million in Cy 2021-09-23
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  State demonstration project launched to commercialize hydrogen trams by 2023 SEOUL -- South Korea launched a state demonstration project to commercialize hydrogen trams by 2023. Fuel cells for automobiles would be modified for 380-kilowatt trams. The project is aimed at securing South Korea's competitive edge in the global eco-friendly train market through early commercialization. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy pledged the injection of about 42.4 billion won ($36 million) for the development of technologies, saying hydrogen trams can be an al 2021-09-23
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  Hyundai Motor's dog-like safety service robot deployed for pilot operation at auto plant SEOUL -- A dog-like safety service robot based on Spot, a four-legged robot developed by Boston Dynamics acquired by South Korea's Hyundai auto group, was deployed for pilot operation at an auto plant in South Korea. It is equipped with diverse technologies suitable for autonomous patrol services at industrial sites, including task management and deep learning-based vision technology. The pilot operation was introduced at a plant run by Kia Motors, a subsidiary of the auto gro 2021-09-17
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  Genesis introduces new technologies such as face recognition, fingerprint authentication SEOUL -- Genesis, the luxury brand of South Korea's Hyundai auto group, has introduced new driver-friendly technologies such as a fingerprint authentication system and "Face Connect" that allows vehicles to recognize human faces, open and close doors without a fingerprint authentication system using a smart key. Genesis will apply new technologies to its first electric sport utility model, GV60, which will be released soon. The Face Connect system features a near inf 2021-09-16
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  Heavy-duty trucks to be mobilized for demonstration of platooning on expressways SEOUL -- For the early commercialization of limited autonomous driving by commercial vehicles, heavy-duty trucks will be mobilized for a state project to demonstrate platooning technology on a controlled section of expressways. Truck platooning is an autonomous driving method that interlinks two or more trucks to drive in a formation and communicate with each other and share on-road information. In the logistics industry, attention has been paid to crowd or cluster driving for large 2021-09-08
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  Hyundai auto group showcases concept hydrogen-powered hybrid sports car SEOUL -- South Korea's Hyundai auto group showcased a concept hydrogen-powered hybrid sports car with a maximum output of over 500 kilowatts that can accelerate from zero to 100 kilometers (62 miles) per hour in less than four seconds and achieve more than 600km on a single charge. The concept model called "Vision FK" installed with a fuel cell energy converter was presented at an online forum in which the auto group presented plans to popularize hydrogen by 2040 thr 2021-09-07
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  Hyundai auto group presents new vision to transform Genesis into zero emission brand SEOUL -- As part of its goal to pursue a carbon neutral brand, South Korea's Hyundai auto group presented a new vision of electrification to transform its luxury brand Genesis into the producer of zero-emission vehicles, saying new Genesis vehicles would be all be purely electric from 2025. "Genesis is once again at the starting point of another audacious journey - the journey towards a sustainable future," Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun declared in a statement release 2021-09-02
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  Hyundai auto group launches beta service in Roblox metaverse space SEOUL -- South Korea's Hyundai auto group launched an open beta service in a metaverse space through Roblox, an online game platform and game creation system, allowing users to meet and communicate with one another and experience advanced products and mobility solutions in the form of avatars. Hyundai is the first global automotive brand to open virtual experience content on Roblox. The beta service began on September 1, the auto group said, adding its metaverse service called 2021-09-01
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  Hyundai's joint venture unveils basic design of robotaxi based on IONIQ 5 SEOUL -- Motional, a joint venture between South Korea's Hyundai auto group and Aptiv, a global technology company with advanced mobility solutions, has unveiled the basic design of a robotaxi featuring level 4 autonomous driving technologies that will be showcased at IAA Mobility, a motor show to be held in Munich in September. The robotaxi is based on IONIQ 5, a new Hyundai crossover utility vehicle installed with a dedicated new battery platform. Level 4 autonomous vehicles 2021-09-01
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  ​LG's lighting system wing ZKW develops micromirror modules for autonomous vehicles SEOUL -- ZKW, an Austrian lighting system producer affiliated with South Korea's LG Electronics, and partner companies are working on the development of new micromirror modules, a complicated device that can specifically and precisely shoot laser beams. Such modules will enable smart light functions for autonomous vehicles. A micromirror module is a complex microelectromechanical system (MEMS) that consists of a chip with integrated microscopic mirror mechanics. The mirror ca 2021-08-26
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  Hyundai auto group demonstrates mobility service for people with mobility barriers SEOUL -- South Korea's Hyundai auto group has launched a demonstration for a universal mobility service designed to assist those with mobility barriers. The pilot program of Hyundai's global mobility service project was kick-started in Los Angeles to utilize full-size sport utility vehicles capable of carrying a wheelchair. The auto group said in a statement on August 18 that it launched "Enable LA," a pilot mobility service for people with mobility barriers, throu 2021-08-18
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  Samsung Electro-Mechanics develops high-capacity ceramic capacitor for autonomous vehicles SEOUL -- Targeting the global autonomous vehicle parts market, Samsung Electro-Mechanics, an electric component maker in South Korea, has developed two types of ultra-small, high-capacity multilayer ceramic capacitors. A multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) controls the flow of electricity on electric circuits to reduce electrical noises on circuits. Such capacitors play a vital role in the safe operation of high-precision machines and electric parts because even the tiniest amount o 2021-08-12
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  Hyundai Motor and LG team up to invest $1.1 bln in battery joint venture in Indonesia SEOUL -- South Korea's Hyundai auto group teamed up with the battery-making wing of LG Group to jointly invest $1.1 billion in the establishment of an equally-owned battery joint venture in Indonesia. Mass production of battery cells is to commence in the first half of 2024. The joint venture underlines efforts by the two groups to bolster their presence in global markets. The auto group signed a memorandum of understanding with LG Energy Solution (LGES) to set up a battery cell 2021-07-29
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  Hyundai Motor works with domestic partner to develop hydrogen mobile power generation system SEOUL -- South Korea's Hyundai Motor tied up with Hyundai Electric & Energy Systems, a domestic electrical equipment manufacturer and energy solution provider, to develop a hydrogen fuel cell package for mobile power generation that would be used at industrial fields such as construction sites and port facilities. The auto group said that its fuel cell experience would be combined with Hyundai Electric's power equipment expertise to develop a hydrogen fuel cell package d 2021-07-29