Expanding the Human Reach with Mobility Solutions

Achieving tangible results in the face of significant challenges is at the core of Kia’s ambitions. As part of the family, we here at Jackson Kia support the determination to rise above and beyond what is considered possible. In this latest pursuit, we are hoping to do just that. Joining forces with all members of the Hyundai Motor Group and our aerospace partners, we aim to contribute to expanding human reach and mobility experiences with the development of a lunar exploration mobility rover. 

Many Minds for More Solutions

Hyundai Motor Group (the Group) is a global enterprise and value chain founded on mobility whose brands include Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. In July 2022, the Group signed an agreement with six Korean research institutes in the aerospace sector to run and support a consultative body. The body includes the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI), Electronics and Telecommunication Research Institute (ETRI), Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology (KICT), Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) and Korea Automotive Technology Institute (KATECH). The group and its body have since come together to foster mobility solutions for lunar surface exploration.

Beyond Land and Sea

The Group announced on April 20th of this year that they have begun building the developmental model of a rover. Joining forces with these major research institutes, the Group aims to create a model that has launch capability in 2027. “Hyundai Motor Group has consistently stated its goal is to contribute to expanding human reach and the scope of human mobility experiences,” said Yong Wha Kim, Executive Vice President and Head of R&D Planning & Coordination Center of Hyundai Motor and Kia. “With the rover’s development, we are moving beyond land, sea and air mobility to expand into space mobility.” 

Diverse Payloads on a Capable Platform

The independent driving unit will be specifically designed to explore the Moon’s surface and will come equipped with numerous advanced technologies. The objective is to provide a universally applicable mobility platform that will be able to handle diverse payloads. The platform will include solar charging, autonomous driving, thermal management, and radiation shielding. As part of development, the rover’s performance will be rigorously tested in an environment similar to the Moon’s surface before being cleared for launch. Following all tests and necessary refinements, the plan is to land the rover near the south pole area of the moon to carry out various scientific missions.

Just Beyond and to Infinity

Our commitment to expanding human reach allows us to keep pressing just beyond what we know to be possible. Using robotics, artificial intelligence, and autonomous driving technologies, we look to expand on the ways that we can move into the future together. Hyundai Motor Company and the Kia Corporation will be proudly contributing our most advanced technology as we research new and groundbreaking methods for enhancing mobility. At Jackson Kia here on Florida’s Space Coast, we know we can go further together and look forward with excitement to our newest collaborative endeavor.