Hyundai opens Georgia Metaplant: A leap toward future mobility

Mar 27, 2025, 10:29 am

		0
Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun delivers a speech at the completion ceremony of Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) in Ellabell, Georgia, USA, on March 26, 2025.

Washington correspondent Ha Man-joo

Hyundai Motor Group held the groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday for the 'Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA)' located in Ellabell, Georgia, USA, marking the beginning of Chairman Chung Eui-sun's vision of "harmonious collaboration between humans, artificial intelligence (AI), and robots" in automobile manufacturing.

During the ceremony, Chairman Chung emphasized, "Standing here today, I can say with confidence that I have never been more optimistic about building the future of mobility with and in the United States."

"Hyundai is not just investing in technology and automobiles but, above all, in relationships—our people, partners, neighbors, and communities. We are here not just to build a factory but to invest in the state of Georgia and the Savannah community and grow together," Chung said.

Earlier, Chung announced that Hyundai would invest a total of $21 billion (approx. 31 trillion KRW) in the United States by 2028 at an event hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on Monday.

Hyundai Motor Group revealed that at HMGMA, Boston Dynamics' four-legged robot "Spot" would handle precise inspections of complex vehicle specifications, working harmoniously with human workers. The group also announced plans to pilot the humanoid robot "All New Atlas.”

At this stage, advanced robots are already responsible for high-weight, high-risk processes and inspections requiring complex checks. Robots have fully automated the world's first high-weight vehicle door installation process and, using a robot-integrated vision system, capture and analyze approximately 50,000 images per vehicle to provide rapid and accurate feedback on paint quality, which is difficult to verify with the naked eye.

Hyundai Motor Group explained that HMGMA embodies its commitment to creating a future mobility system where humans, AI, and robotics collaborate flexibly and freely through data. The plant is designed as a Software-Defined Factory (SDF) that integrates cutting-edge automation, intelligence, and flexibility to achieve manufacturing innovation.

The plant's name reflects Chairman Chung's vision. The term "Meta," meaning transcendence, is not only part of the plant's name but also used for workers, referred to as "Meta Pros," emphasizing the importance of creativity that surpasses current limitations.

Additionally, unlike the existing Hyundai Alabama Plant and Kia Georgia Plant, the use of the term "Group" in the name signifies a mixed production system for both Hyundai and Kia brands, enabling flexible responses to diverse demands in the U.S. market.

#Hyundai