In collaboration with DEEPX, a company specializing in AI semiconductors, Hyundai Motor Company and Kia have announced the development of an on-device AI chip for robots, ready for mass production. This achievement is expected to serve as a crucial foundation for the implementation of ‘Physical AI’ where robots can independently assess and respond to real-world environments.
The Robotics Lab of Hyundai Motor Company and Kia unveiled this technology at CES Foundry 2026 in Las Vegas, USA. The CES Foundry is a newly introduced program this year that serves as a global platform to discuss the convergence of next-generation innovative technologies such as AI, blockchain, and quantum technology.
Hyun Dong-jin, Senior Vice President of the Robotics Lab at Hyundai Motor Company and Kia, stated during the presentation, “The Robotics Lab aims to achieve ‘robotization of spaces’ by developing proprietary AI controllers and software for implementing Physical AI.” He added, “Since June last year, we have applied this technology to the facial recognition robot ‘Facey’ and delivery robot ‘DAL-e Delivery’ at ‘Factorial Seongsu’ to verify its stability and performance.”
The on-device AI chip developed jointly with DEEPX is an ultra-low-power semiconductor consuming less than 5W, enabling real-time data analysis and decisions without network connectivity. Compared to cloud-based AI, it offers faster response times and reduced dependency on external communication networks, enhancing security.
Notably, it can operate reliably in areas with restricted communication facilities such as underground parking lots and logistics centers, increasing its applicability across various fields including logistics, services, and industrial robots. Through this collaboration, Hyundai Motor Company and Kia have secured the ability to independently procure key components for robotic products, thereby ensuring supply chain stability and cost efficiency.
Based on this technology, the Robotics Lab plans to secure optimized solutions for integration into future mass-produced robots and strengthen the foundation for the autonomous operation of robots. Furthermore, to address social issues such as labor shortages due to low birth rates and aging populations, as well as industrial safety problems, Physical AI robots will be applied across various industrial sites.
Senior Vice President Hyun Dong-jin emphasized, “The Robotics Lab at Hyundai Motor Company and Kia is committed not only to developing robots but also to building a sustainable robotics ecosystem. We aim to create value that users can tangibly experience through smart robots based on low-power, high-efficiency AI chips.”
Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor Company and Kia demonstrated their global technological prowess by winning the Best of Innovation Awards in the robotics field at CES 2026 with their next-generation autonomous mobility robot platform ‘MobED (Mobile Eccentric Droid).’