Smart Lead
The Hyundai Motor Group will expand its smart factories in cooperation with the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy. To this end, both organizations are planning to invest 23.5 billion won (US$19.7 million) together by 2019.
According to the automaker’s plans, 450 partner firms and subcontractors, and 200 small firms housed in the Gwangju Innovation Center will adopt smart factory systems so that the entire manufacturing process will be combined with information and communications technology. The Hyundai Motor Group will shoulder 15 billion won (US$12.6 million), while the ministry and the Gwangju Innovation Center are responsible for 4.5 billion won (US$3.8 million) and 4 billion won (US$3.4 million), respectively. It is estimated that an average of 40 million won (US$33,513) will be required for each of the firms to adopt the system, and the carmaker is planning to provide 20 million won (US$16,760) for each of them so that they can feel less of a financial burden.
The Hyundai Motor Group has developed its smart factory establishment plans since 2013. It is looking to spread the system to the manufacturing sector as a whole, in tandem with the Gwangju Innovation Center. The automaker’s smart factory system can be divided into process inspection automation, a full-proof system, inspection of first, medium, and final products, lot tracking management, and mold management.