Hyundai Motor (005380.KS) is launching a six-month pilot project for eco-friendly smart waste and recyclables collection vehicles in Seoul's Seongbuk District.
Hyundai Motor announced Friday that it held a demonstration event for smart waste collection using its electrified business platform ST1 at the Seoul Civil Defense Education Center in Seongbuk District on Thursday.
At the demonstration, Hyundai showcased the collection and transportation of recyclables using two ST1-based smart collection vehicles—a dumping type and a moving floor type.
The ST1 dumping-type smart collection vehicle features cargo compartment side doors that open and close via a vertical sliding mechanism and a low ground clearance. Workers can easily load recyclables from the side of the vehicle and unload cargo with simple switch operations.
The moving floor type allows the cargo floor rails to move forward and backward, enabling workers to load and unload recyclables without climbing onto the vehicle. This makes it convenient to load and unload heavy recyclables even in confined spaces.
Workers operating the smart collection vehicles during the pilot period will wear the X-ble Shoulder. Developed in-house by Hyundai Motor and Kia's (000270.KS) Robotics Lab, the X-ble Shoulder is an industrial wearable robot that assists users' upper arm (shoulder) strength, significantly reducing musculoskeletal strain.
Hyundai Motor plans to conduct the pilot project using two ST1-based eco-friendly smart collection vehicles in Seongbuk District through October this year, then pursue full commercialization and expansion to additional regions.
"Through this pilot project, we expect to protect the city from air pollution and noise, improve resident satisfaction, and contribute to achieving carbon neutrality," a Hyundai Motor official said. "We will strive to provide customized business solutions for customers through the development of not only eco-friendly smart collection vehicles but also various purpose-built vehicles."