Hyundai Motor Group to make lunar roving vehicle

This concept image shows a lunar roving vehicle of Hyundai Motor Group conducting research activity on the moon. Courtesy of Hyundai Motor Group

By Baek Byung-yeul

• Published Apr 20, 2023 4:53 PM KST
• Updated Apr 21, 2023 4:55 PM KST

By Baek Byung-yeul

Hyundai Motor Group is extending its scope of business to space by developing lunar roving vehicles, according to the automotive giant, Thursday.

The group said it has begun production of a development model of a lunar rover with domestic research institutes.

They said its initiative to develop a rover for lunar exploration is aimed at contributing to the country's development of scientific research in the space sector.

Starting with the development of this initial model, Hyundai Motor Group plans to continuously upgrade the technology so that it will have a product that can actually explore the lunar surface by 2027.

Through discussions with local institutes, the automotive group finalized the initial model of the lunar roving vehicle, to land on the south pole of the moon and implement various scientific missions including mineral extraction and environmental analysis.

“The concept of the lunar rover vehicle is a compact-sized autonomous mobility dedicated to lunar surface exploration,” the company said, adding that it will be equipped with a solar panel for self-charging.

“Also, technologies such as thermal management, radiation shielding devices and metal drive wheels to withstand the extreme environment of the lunar surface, where the temperature difference between day and night can be more than 300 degrees Celsius, will be jointly developed,” the company said.

Hyundai expects to finalize the production of the development model as early as the second half of 2024. After that, the group plans to continue research on driving and mission execution in an environment similar to that of the lunar surface.