Hyundai Partners with Incheon International Airport to Launch AI-Based EV Charging Robots

On May 23, 2025, Hyundai Motor Group announced a strategic partnership with Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC) to deploy AI-based automatic electric vehicle (EV) charging robots (ACRs) at South Korea’s busiest airport. This initiative marks a significant step toward building smarter, more efficient mobility solutions in global transportation hubs.

Under a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Hyundai Motor Group and IIAC will collaborate on demonstrating and commercializing ACR technology, enhancing convenience and safety for EV users. With Incheon Airport preparing for increased traffic under its “4.0 Era” transformation, the ACR deployment will help streamline operations while supporting the airport’s evolution into an ‘Aviation AI Innovation Hub.’

Key attendees at the signing ceremony included Heui Won Yang, President and Head of R&D at Hyundai Motor Group, and Hag Jae Lee, President and CEO of IIAC.

The ACR has already received Korean Certification (KC) for safety and quality, along with the European Union’s CE certification, underscoring the technology’s readiness for real-world application in high-security environments like Incheon International Airport.

Heui Won Yang, President and Head of the R&D Division at Hyundai Motor Group, said: “This collaboration will serve as a significant milestone in verifying the practical benefits of future mobility technologies by combining Hyundai Motor Group’s robotics and AI capabilities with Incheon International Airport Corporation’s extensive operational experience. Hyundai Motor Group aims to offer a more convenient and enhanced mobility experience through a customized automatic charging solution that can be used in any setting. We also look forward to working with Incheon International Airport to build various mobility infrastructures and lead the future mobility ecosystem.”

Demonstration Site to Drive Future Mobility

Incheon Airport will serve as the official demonstration site for the project, offering a dynamic environment to test the ACR’s performance, gather user feedback, and optimize usability. This data will be crucial in refining the service before broader deployment.

Hyundai Motor Group will bring its Robotics LAB expertise to the table, supporting ACR hardware and software solutions, Smart parking integrations, and custom robot charging scenarios tailored to airport operations. The introduction of a Robotics Total Solution (RTS) framework is a part of the project, and IIAC will provide site infrastructure and assist in real-world testing and feedback collection.

Hag Jae Lee, President and CEO of Incheon International Airport Corporation, said: “We expect this partnership to significantly enhance service and improve operational efficiency at Incheon International Airport. Moving forward, Incheon International Airport will continue to advance as the world’s leading digital airport, based on its excellent infrastructure and technological capabilities.”

Scaling ACR Services Globally

This project isn’t just about Incheon. The Group and IIAC envision a future where AI-powered EV charging is standard across major global transportation networks—including airports, seaports, and railway hubs.

Following successful projects like the ‘robot-friendly building’ initiative at Factorial Seongsu, Hyundai Motor Group is positioning itself as a global leader in sustainable, AI-powered mobility solutions.

Hyundai Motor Group and IIAC are pushing the boundaries of EV infrastructure and robotics, setting the stage for a smarter, greener future.