NVIDIA's Huang Visits Hyundai HQ, Hails "Hyundai's Time" in the Age of Physical AI

[Korea Financial Times, Kim JaeHun] "The next wave of AI is mobility and physical AI. It is a future in which AI understands the world, ventures out into it, and performs valuable, productive work for people. Now is Hyundai Motor Group's moment. Everything you have built up to now will combine with AI and bring about new transformation."

NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang made these remarks to on-site employees during his visit to Hyundai Motor Group's headquarters in Yangjae-dong on the afternoon of the 8th.

Huang, who arrived in Korea on the 5th, held a "Samso (samgyeopsal pork belly + soju) gathering" that evening with SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo, Naver board chairman Lee Hae-jin and others, before having lunch with Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun at a Pyongyang-style cold noodle (naengmyeon) restaurant on the 7th.

With Huang visiting Hyundai Motor Group's headquarters just a day after the luncheon, expectations are rising that the two companies' mid- to long-term partnership will take more concrete shape.

On NVIDIA's side, key executives including CEO Jensen Huang and Madison Huang were in attendance. On Hyundai Motor Group's side were Chairman Chung Eui-sun, Vice Chairman Jang Jae-hoon — who leads the group's future businesses — and Park Min-woo, head of the AVP Division and CEO of 42dot, a former NVIDIA executive.

As he entered the building, Huang obliged employees' requests for autographs and photos. Chairman Chung Eui-sun also joined employees for selfies. Before moving to the meeting room with Hyundai's management, Huang delivered an approximately two-minute speech to the employees gathered on-site.

Huang said, "Our two companies are doing more together every day," adding, "Hyundai Motor Group is a giant and an expert in the mobility field, and today we aim to combine AI with Hyundai Motor Group's mobility expertise to transform the future of mobility while simultaneously shaping the future of robotics."

He went on to praise Chung, saying, "I am delighted to have become very close friends with Chairman Chung Eui-sun," and called him "an excellent steward and leader who has protected and guided this remarkable company built over many years."

Ahead of their meeting, Huang and Chairman Chung toured "heritage exhibits" displayed at Hyundai's headquarters, along with the plant-watering robot, the robot dog "Spot," the robotics platform "MobED," and the PBV (Purpose Built Vehicle) "PV5," among others.


Huang was particularly intrigued by Spot, which was patrolling the Yangjae headquarters. When Spot said in English, "Hello. Welcome to Hyundai Motor Group headquarters. Please present your access card and I will verify it," Huang replied, "Then I'll give you my credit card," sending those around him into laughter.

After completing the tour, Huang remarked, "Everything I saw here today deeply impressed me," and said, "Everything was original and innovative, and it showcased the world-class technological prowess and engineering capabilities that Hyundai Motor Group possesses."

Kim JaeHun (rlqm93@fntimes.com)