Kia and NVIDIA to build AI factory in South Korea
In line with Kia’s vision of progress through innovation and responsibility, Kia’s parent company is joining forces with technology company NVIDIA. Together, they are building an advanced AI factory based on NVIDIA’s new Blackwell technology in Gyeongju, South Korea. This collaboration enables Kia to empower human potential through self-driving vehicles, smart factories, and robotics.
The collaboration marks a new phase in the relationship between Kia and NVIDIA. Where previous work was done with existing AI platforms, the focus is now on joint development of physical AI technologies. These are systems that not only teach digitally, but also have a tangible impact in the real world.
AI factory as a catalyst for responsible innovation
The new AI factory is the beating heart of Kia’s technological future. 50,000 Blackwell GPUs from NVIDIA process enormous amounts of data and train, test, and apply AI models. The Blackwell GPUs are among the most powerful chips in the world and are also used to develop generative AI models. This accelerates translating research into practice, from self-driving cars to smart production lines, and contributes to safer, more efficient and people-oriented mobility.
Smart factories that learn and improve
Kia uses NVIDIA Omniverse to build virtual factories, so-called digital twins, in which new production lines and robot applications are first tested. This minimizes errors, saves time and enables fully automated self-learning factories. In addition, Kia is integrating the DRIVE AGX Thor platform as the AI brain of vehicles. This makes cars safer, smarter and continues to develop through continuous software updates.
Building a better future together
Euisun Chung, Executive Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, calls the collaboration a milestone: “We are building an AI ecosystem that strengthens innovation and human potential.” Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, added, “AI is fundamentally changing mobility. Together we are creating the intelligent vehicles and factories of tomorrow.”
With this AI factory as a hub, Kia is becoming a pioneer in human-centric AI-driven mobility. By connecting technology and human innovation, Kia is taking a new step in fulfilling its promise: Movement that inspires.