Korea Expressway Corporation, Hyundai Motor Group to collaborate on physical AI research

Korea Expressway Corporation signed an MOU with Hyundai Motor Group on Wednesday at Hyundai Motor's headquarters in Seocho-gu, Seoul, to cooperate on research, development and demonstration of physical AI-based robot technology for expressways, the corporation announced Thursday.

Physical AI refers to technology in which physically embodied systems such as robots perceive and assess real-world environments through artificial intelligence and carry out tasks directly.

Under the agreement, the two organizations will pursue research and demonstration of physical AI-based expressway safety and maintenance technology, research into next-generation intelligent charging infrastructure — including charging robots and wireless charging at expressway rest stops — and technology and information exchange and joint R&D in future road applications linked to physical AI.

Korea Expressway Corporation will provide demonstration sites including bridges, tunnels and rest stops, while Hyundai Motor Group will contribute its experience developing service and charging robots, with the aim of producing practical research outcomes.

Following the signing ceremony, representatives from both organizations observed demonstrations of service robots — including irrigation, security and delivery models — that Hyundai Motor Group has developed and operates, and discussed ways to deploy them at expressway sites.

Once physical AI technology is introduced on expressways, robots would collect data directly in hazardous areas such as the undersides of bridges and inside tunnels, enabling a shift to an advanced inspection system in which humans make precise judgments based on that data. The ultimate goal is to go beyond data collection to a stage where robots carry out on-site work themselves.

This is expected to dramatically reduce the risk of workplace accidents and secondary incidents, while enabling early detection of expressway damage so the public can use roads more safely and conveniently.

"Robot technology is a key area that can simultaneously maximize expressway maintenance efficiency and worker safety," said Jo Seong-min, head of the Korea Expressway Corporation's Road Traffic Research Institute. "We will combine the private sector's advanced robot technology with the expressway's field infrastructure to deliver tangible results and create a safer expressway environment for the public."