On June 7, Jensen Huang, NVIDIA’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), met with Chung Eui-sun, Hyundai Motor Group’s chairman, prior to his scheduled visit to Hyundai’s headquarters.
NVIDIA has recently positioned Physical AI – technology that integrates artificial intelligence with physical systems like robots and machines for autonomous environmental interaction – as a key growth driver. This meeting has sparked interest in potential expanded collaborations between the two industry giants.
Industry insiders report that Huang and Chung had lunch at Woo Lae Oak in Seoul’s Euljiro district. The timing of this meeting, just before Huang’s visit to Hyundai’s Yangjae headquarters on Monday, is particularly noteworthy.
Analysts believe the two leaders likely discussed future artificial intelligence (AI)-driven business partnerships, focusing on robotics, autonomous vehicles, and smart manufacturing.
Following the lunch, Huang’s itinerary includes meetings with Krafton’s chairman Chang Byung-kyu and NCSoft’s CEO Kim Taek-jin at a internet cafe near Sinnonhyeon Station. He’s then slated to throw the first pitch at a pro baseball game in Jamsil Stadium at 5:00 p.m. (Korean time), followed by a 7:00 p.m. (Korean time) dinner with SK Group’s top brass, including Chairman Chey Tae-won, at Kkanbu Chicken’s Samsung branch.
Huang’s schedule for Monday includes visits to LG, Hyundai, and Naver. Industry watchers are particularly focused on his stop at Hyundai Motor Group amidst this packed agenda.
Hyundai Motor Group has been ramping up its robotics division, leveraging Boston Dynamics and its in-house robotics lab, while also pushing forward with smart factory development and software-defined vehicles (SDVs). Similarly, NVIDIA has placed Physical AI at the forefront of its strategy for revolutionizing manufacturing and robotics.
The two companies have a history of collaboration in vehicle AI platforms and SDV technology. Experts suggest this meeting could pave the way for expanded partnerships in robotics, AI data centers, and smart manufacturing.
Given that Chairman Chung has been using the Yangjae headquarters as a proving ground for the group’s robotics and Physical AI initiatives, it’s anticipated that Huang’s visit will feature in-depth presentations on these technologies and Hyundai’s future business vision.