Samsung Group and Hyundai Motor Group Announce Expansion of Partnership into Robotics and AI

On November 9, Samsung Group and Hyundai Motor Group held a high-level exchange event titled "Hyundai Motor Group Appreciation Day" at Samsung Electronics' Seocheon Training Center in Korea, announcing the expansion of their strategic cooperation from semiconductors, batteries, and automotive electronics to robotics and artificial intelligence (AI). The event, themed "Harmony Toward the Future," was attended by 177 people, including core executives from both groups, executives' spouses, and officials. This marked the first time Samsung Electronics has hosted such a large-scale invitation event for a major Korean conglomerate. Samsung attendees included: Jeon Young-hyun, Vice Chairman and Head of the Device Solutions Division at Samsung Electronics; Roh Tae-moon, Head of the Device eXperience Division; Park Yong-in, Head of the System LSI Business; Han Jin-man, Head of the Foundry Business; Lee Chung, President of Samsung Display; Choi Joo-sun, President of Samsung SDI; and Jang Deok-hyun, President of Samsung Electro-Mechanics. Hyundai Motor Group attendees included: Vice Chairman Chang Jae-hoon; Seo Gang-hyun, President of Planning and Coordination at Hyundai Motor; Manfred Harrer, Head of R&D at Hyundai Motor and Kia; and Park Min-woo, Head of the Advanced Vehicle Platform Division. On the business front, Samsung Electronics has agreed to supply Hyundai Motor with the "Exynos Auto V920" automotive infotainment semiconductor. In 2023, Samsung SDI signed its first long-term electric vehicle battery supply contract with Hyundai Motor. Samsung SDI's high-nickel NCA (nickel, cobalt, aluminum) prismatic batteries will be installed in Kia's compact electric SUV and Hyundai Motor's Ioniq 3. Samsung SDI's prismatic batteries will also be applied to the Genesis electric SUV GV90. In addition, Samsung SDI, Hyundai Motor, and Kia have begun joint development of specialized batteries for robots. The two sides plan to combine Samsung's semiconductor, sensor, and battery technologies with Hyundai Motor Group's robotics and autonomous driving technologies for cooperation. The history of exchanges between the two companies includes: in 1985, Samsung founder Lee Byung-chul attended the 70th birthday banquet of Hyundai founder Chung Ju-yung; in 2001, the late Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee met with Chung Mong-koo, then Chairman of Hyundai Kia Automotive, and in the same year Samsung began purchasing Hyundai Equus vehicles as corporate cars for the presidents of its subsidiaries, while Hyundai Motor Group partially adopted Samsung Cards for its corporate card business; in 2020, Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun met twice to discuss future mobility cooperation measures, including next-generation electric vehicle batteries.