The pilot site is Kia’s plant in South Korea, and the robot, dubbed “Factory Safety Service Robot” is based off Boston Dynamics’ quadruped robot, Spot. For its use in Kia’s factory, it was fitted with applied artificial intelligence, autonomous navigation, teleoperation technologies, and computing payload features.

With an integrated thermal camera and 3D LiDAR, the Factory Safety Service Robot is able to detect persons around it, monitor high-temperature situations and potential fire hazards, and perceive whether a door is open or closed. The quadruped robot is able to navigate through narrow spaces as well as identify blind areas that are hard to see with the human eye. It can be remote-controlled through a secure webpage that provides a livestream of its movements around the plant, enabling office personnel to remotely observe industrial areas. It can also detect dangers and send alarms to managers through the secure webpage.

Based on these functions, the Robot provides real-time sharing of photos of on-site situations and an activity log with the control center as well as support a rapid response in the event of an emergency by sounding an alarm on the control webpage. Managers can switch to manual teleoperation whenever needed to conduct a closer look at important industrial sites. It is also possible to connect multiple Factory Service Safety Robots to the control system to simultaneously check various zones.

Through the pilot operation at Kia’s plant in South Korea, Hyundai will use the Robot to support late-night security patrols and create a safer environment for workers. Hyundai will also go through the Robot’s proof of concept and assess its effectiveness as well as its applicability before expanding its patrol areas and reviewing additional deployment to other industrial sites.