Hyundai Motor Group has opened a “Corporate Lab” at the Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Center Singapore (HMGICS) with Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR).
Based inside the group’s first smart factory, which also serves as a software-defined factory (SDF) testbed, the lab would speed up research, development and proof-of-concept work in artificial intelligence, robotics and smart manufacturing, turning academic insights into shop-floor solutions.
The partnership combines Hyundai’s manufacturing expertise with NTU’s research strengths and A*STAR’s deep-tech capabilities.
NTU, ranked 12th in the QS World University Rankings 2026, and A*STAR, Singapore’s lead public-sector R&D agency, would develop technologies that HMGICS could validate and deploy in production.
Early programmes cover AI for smart manufacturing, robotics to raise efficiency, quality and worker conditions, 3D printing of auto parts, and intelligent robotic inspection to improve defect detection, reduce downtime and lift engineering productivity.
Work would draw on multiple A*STAR institutes and NTU units, including the Schools of Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, and the College of Computing and Data Science.
Locating the lab within an operational plant is intended to compress prototyping, validation and rollout cycles.
Collaboration with local system integrators and SMEs would support capability building, upskilling and the creation of high-value roles.
The partners said the initiative would strengthen Singapore’s R&D ecosystem and support Hyundai’s global manufacturing innovation strategy.
