The Saemangeum AI Hydrogen City project represents a significant policy initiative by the Korean government to integrate advanced robotics, clean hydrogen production, and artificial intelligence into urban development. President Lee Jae-myung, alongside key ministers and Hyundai Motor Group executives, attended the investment agreement ceremony at the Saemangeum Convention Center. The event showcased the government’s commitment to fostering innovation in energy, mobility, and smart city operations. The project leverages renewable energy to produce hydrogen, which will power various urban functions and support sustainable growth.
The policy directly impacts urban residents, industry stakeholders, and public safety agencies. Key technologies displayed included a diorama of the AI Hydrogen City, a water electrolysis plant for hydrogen production, fuel cell generators, and the autonomous wheel robot MobED. The MobED robot, capable of stable movement on uneven terrain, is expected to serve in logistics, medical care, and disaster response. Hyundai Motor Group has also contributed unmanned firefighting robots to the National Fire Agency, demonstrating the practical application of advanced robotics in public safety.
Implementation of the Saemangeum AI Hydrogen City is ongoing, with the investment agreement formalized on February 27, 2026. The project will see the integration of AI and robotics to optimize city management in real time. The government and industry partners are focused on expanding the use of clean hydrogen as a primary energy source for mobility, industry, and buildings. Continuous development and deployment of unmanned robots, including improvements based on field needs, are planned to enhance urban resilience and efficiency.
Frequently asked questions include how hydrogen produced from renewable energy will be utilized and what roles robots like MobED will play in the city. Hydrogen will serve as a clean energy source for mobility, industry, and buildings, while AI and robotics will optimize city operations. The MobED robot is designed for diverse applications, including logistics, healthcare, and disaster response, and can navigate challenging urban environments. Hyundai Motor Group plans to further improve unmanned firefighting robots based on operational feedback to better protect public safety.
The Saemangeum AI Hydrogen City project is a clear example of Korea’s forward-looking approach to urban innovation, grounded in clean energy and advanced robotics. By combining renewable hydrogen production with AI-driven city management and autonomous robots, the initiative addresses both sustainability and operational efficiency. The involvement of major industry players like Hyundai Motor Group ensures practical deployment and continuous improvement. This policy is poised to make Saemangeum a benchmark for future smart cities, with significant benefits for residents, industry, and public safety.