Automaker Hyundai has announced a new initiative that will lean on artificial intelligence and autonomous driving tech to develop a future mobility ecosystem.
NUMA, which stands for Next Urban Mobility Alliance, aims to transform transportation in Hyundai’s home country of South Korea, particularly for those who currently have limited access to transportation options.
The program will be funded by public and private money and will promote collaboration across government, academia and industry to accelerate the adoption of AI-powered solutions.
NUMA is built on an open-alliance model, which will encourage participation from several diverse sectors to develop a cloud-based ecosystem.
However, the overall project is structured around a three-step roadmap. First, increased use of AI will aim to overhaul local transportation systems. Second, deployment of autonomous Mobility-as-a-Service solutions is being targeted.
And finally, it’s hoped that an expansion in AI mobility will help enable the development of smart cities. Hyundai has previously showcased dramatic visions of future smart cities where AI is integral to their functionality.
NUMA was initially announced at a conference to mark the unveiling of its new software brand, Pleos, in March, but now the official launch has demonstrated the depth of collaboration in place, with no fewer than 31 participants already confirmed.
These include South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Ministry of the Interior and Safety, fellow automaker Kia, Seoul National University , Yonsei University and the Korea National University of Transportation.
Chang Song, president at Hyundai Motor Group, hailed the launch of NUMA, saying: “Autonomous driving and AI represent a powerful shift that will reshape our everyday life.
“As a founding partner, Hyundai Motor Group is committed to realizing inclusive mobility through technology — connecting communities and improving access for those with limited transportation options — and further driving a global mobility transformation in more cities around the world.”
Hyundai also used the launch of NUMA to highlight the work it is already doing to improve options for those with restricted access to transportation or who have other mobility challenges.
These included Shucle, an AI-powered demand-responsive transport platform offering dynamic routing for on-demand mobility, and two solutions integrated with this tech – the R1 device and Nano Mobility.