Hyundai Launches ‘Factory Safety Service Robot’

The Future of Industrial Site Safety 

In a pilot operation at Kia’s South Korea plant, Hyundai Motor Group, alongside Boston Dynamics, have introduced a ‘Factory Safety Service Robot’ for industrial site safety. 

“The Factory Safety Service Robot is the first collaboration project with Boston Dynamics. The Robot will help detect risks and secure people’s safety in industrial sites. We will also continue to create smart services that detect dangers at industrial sites and help support a safe work environment through continuous collaborations with Boston Dynamics,” said Dong Jin Hyun, Head of Hyundai Motor Group Robotics Lab.

How Does the Robot Work?

Based on Boston Dynamics’ quadruped robot - Spot - the robot applies artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous navigation, teleoperation technologies and computing payload (AI processing Service Unit) to be used in various industrial tasks.

‘The Factory Safety Service Robot’, is also equipped with an integrated thermal camera and 3D LiDAR allowing the robot to detect people around it, monitor high-temperature situations and potential fire hazards, and detect whether a door is open or closed. 

The robot can be remote-controlled providing a livestream of its movements around a plant enabling office workers to remotely observe industrial areas. By harnessing AI and other functions the robot can detect dangers and send alarms to managers, share real-time sharing photos of on-site situations, and an activity log with the control centre as well as support a rapid response in an emergency.  

When needed the robot can be switched to manual teleoperation to conduct a closer look at industrial sites; it is also possible to connect more than one robot to the control system to check various zones. 

Being able to navigate through narrow spaces, and identify blind areas that are hard to see with the human eye, the application of its technologies to Boston Dynamics’ Spot robot provides enhanced autonomy features for the new robot and is equipped with diverse technologies suitable for autonomous patrol services in industrial site environments. 

“Through the pilot operation at Kia’s plant in South Korea, the Group will use the Robot to support late-night security patrols and create a safer environment for workers. The Group 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,” said Hyundai Motor Group.