Hyundai Wia debuts fully autonomous forklift at Kia factory
Hyundai Wia, the auto parts and industrial machinery manufacturing arm of Hyundai Motor Group, said Monday that it has developed an autonomous forklift capable of loading cargo entirely on its own — a first for a Korean company. The self-operating vehicle will begin logistics duties in May 2027 at Kia’s AutoLand Hwaseong assembly complex in Gyeonggi Province. The forklift navigates factory floors…
Hyundai Wia, a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Group, has unveiled a groundbreaking autonomous forklift designed to perform tasks in Kia’s factory without human intervention. The first of its kind in Korea, the innovative vehicle is set to take on logistics duties at Kia’s AutoLand Hwaseong assembly complex in Gyeonggi Province starting May 2027.
Equipped with lidar technology, the forklift uses laser pulses to create a detailed map of its environment, while its vision sensors and safety scanners aid in navigation. Hyundai Wia leveraged its expertise in autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) to create this advanced system, incorporating digital twin technology to create a virtual replica of the factory floor.
This virtual model allows the forklift to determine the most efficient routes, taking into account factors such as slight sinking of trucks under load and uneven terrain. The company placed particular emphasis on mastering the complex task of loading and unloading pallets, a crucial aspect of forklift operation.
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