Hyundai Wia to test parking robots in residential area of Seoul

Hyundai Wia, a subsidiary of the Hyundai Motor Group, is set to commence trials of autonomous parking robots in a residential apartment complex located in Seoul. This marks the first time such testing will take place in the country. The trial will be carried out at the Hillstate The Wave City complex in Siheung, Gyeonggi Province, under the regulatory guidance of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

The partnership between Hyundai Wia, Hyundai Motor, and Hyundai Engineering & Construction aims to evaluate the performance of two robot systems across 53 parking spaces. These robots, each measuring just 110 millimeters in thickness, are capable of sliding beneath vehicles, lifting their wheels, and transporting them autonomously at speeds of up to 1.2 meters per second.

Each robot is equipped with LiDAR sensors, allowing it to handle SUVs weighing up to 3.4 tons. The robots operate in pairs, with one moving the vehicle to an open parking space and the other returning it to the pickup area upon request. This system is integrated with wall-mounted smart home pads, enabling residents to summon their cars remotely.