The long awaited Hyundai Innovation Center, also known as HMGICS, has finally opened its doors. Situated in Jurong along Bulim Link, this state of the art facility spans seven stories and covers an impressive 86,900 square meters of space. One of the most exciting aspects of the center is that it houses Singapore’s first car factory in over four decades. The last car factory in Singapore was the Ford Factory (now called the Old Ford Factory) located along Upper Bukit Timah Road, which ceased operations in 1980.
Hyundai see’s HMGICS as a smart urban mobility hub that aligns with the Group’s human centric mobility vision. At present, the facility is dedicated to producing the IONIQ 5 model and the IONIQ 5 robotaxi. Notably, HMGICS is the sole location where the latter is assembled before being exported to the United States. The factory floor is a testament to Hyundai’s cutting-edge and efficient manufacturing approach. Unlike traditional factories that rely on assembly lines, HMGICS employs a cell based production method. This means that cars are moved to specific areas on the production floor where technicians complete designated tasks. Unlike assembly lines that keep moving, the cell based approach allows technicians to spend more time on each task, increasing precision and efficiency. Hyundai cites this approach as similar to how luxury carmakers like Lamborghini and Rimac manufacture their vehicles.
Ecosystem Just in Time:
Given that Singapore doesn’t have a local ecosystem of parts suppliers, components required for manufacturing are imported into the country and delivered to the facility just in time for production. The production floor at HMGICS showcases the integration of robots and artificial intelligence. Around 50% of the tasks are carried out by 200 autonomous robots, which transport the chassis and various parts to their designated stations. These robots also perform quality checks to ensure that the vehicles meet internal benchmarks and parameters. Robotic assistance extends to quality control and maintenance, with robots such as Spot from Boston Dynamics being deployed for various tasks.
The facility has a high tech, super clean environment, and though it is maintained by skilled workers, there’s also an “inspector” robot that patrols the floor. This robot has the ability to identify and report spills to the maintenance team. HMGICS has the capacity to produce up to 30,000 electric vehicles annually, and the company has plans to commence production of the IONIQ 6 in 2024. Despite the high level of automation, around 50 staff members work on the factory floor. Visitors will also be intrigued to know that HMGICS has the capability to produce personal mobility devices such as e-scooters and electric bikes, hinting at the possibility of Hyundai venturing into the electric motorbike market.
An Automotive Farm:
In addition to car manufacturing, Hyundai Innovation Center is also home to a hydroponic Smart Farm that grows nine different types of fresh produce. Robots are employed to carry out various tasks in the farm, such as seeding, transplanting, and harvesting. The produce cultivated in the Smart Farm will be utilized in a tasting lounge and the in house restaurant, scheduled to open in 2024. When HMGICS opens its doors to the public on December 1, 2023, visitors will be able to take guided tours of the facility. For those unable to visit the center in person, virtual factory tours will be available, allowing participants to customize their own IONIQ 5 using VR goggles. They will even have the chance to virtually participate in the vehicle assembly process.
Buyers of the IONIQ 5 have the option to take delivery of their new vehicle in the Delivery Lounge, where their cars will be wheeled out by a pair of robots. In terms of test driving, HMGICS offers test drives around the surrounding area as well as on a 620 meter long rooftop track known as the Skytrack. The track, as its name suggests, provides drivers with the sensation of driving under the open sky and is used to evaluate vehicles before delivery. Aside from cars, the presence of PMDs and electric two wheelers hints at Hyundai’s potential expansion into new areas of personal mobility.
The Hyundai Innovation Center (HMGIC) is a significant development in Singapore’s automotive and manufacturing landscape. Its high tech approach to urban mobility and manufacturing is a clear reflection of Hyundai’s commitment to cutting edge and sustainable mobility solutions. As the center opens its doors to the public in the near future, it is certain to attract a great deal of attention and anticipation.