South Korea’s Hyundai Rotem is teaming up with American defense tech company Shield AI to co-develop artificial intelligence (AI)-powered drones and smart control systems that can work alongside troops.
Announced during a signing ceremony in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, the collaboration aims to create autonomous systems capable of handling complex missions with minimal human input.
The move comes as modern warfare increasingly shifts toward asymmetric conflicts, where battlespace boundaries are less defined and drones play a bigger role in spotting and engaging enemies.
Enhancing Teamwork in the Field
The companies will start by fitting drones into Hyundai’s next-gen ground weapons.
From there, they plan to develop swarm tech that lets a group of drones or robots move and react as one unit — and build a unified control system to manage both manned and unmanned machines in the field.
Hyundai will also tap into Shield AI’s Hivemind Enterprise, a software that allows uncrewed systems to plan, adapt, and make real-time decisions on the move.
The system is already in operational use with the US and Australia, helping both nations run autonomous air and underwater operations.
Other planned capabilities for integration include Hyundai’s HR-SHERPA 6×6 electric ground vehicle and legged robotic systems.
Looking Ahead
The project, supported by Quantum Aero, Shield AI’s partner in South Korea, aligns with Hyundai’s push to bring more AI and automation into defense technology and stay ahead on increasingly digital battlefields.
Commenting on the project, Hyundai said the partnership reflects its commitment to future-ready defense innovation.
“We plan to proactively evolve next-generation ground weapon systems in line with rapidly changing global battlefield trends,” a Hyundai Rotem official said.
“We will continue striving to contribute to Korea’s leap forward as an ‘AI-strong military.’”
