Hyundai showed the concept of an autonomous lunar rover

Hyundai Motor Group announced the start of work onautonomous rover capable of moving on the surface of the moon. The company has declassified the first details about the future model of the lunar rover, and also called the approximate date of its readiness for testing.

Hyundai's lunar rover will be based onbranded platform with solar panels, autonomous driving system, as well as thermal control and radiation protection. The carrying capacity of the lunar rover will be about 70 kg. It is expected that the list of its scientific equipment will include instruments for analyzing regolith, as well as manipulators for removing soil samples and performing other specific tasks.

According to Hyundai's plan, the prototype shouldbe ready for testing in the second half of 2024, and launch into space is expected in 2027. The developers plan to equip the rover with lidars, cameras, engine, suspension, wheels and power system, developed by the company in collaboration with Kia. In the future, the proprietary platform can be used to create other spacecraft.

The development of the lunar rover started in six monthsafter the start of the discussion of this initiative. In the summer of 2022, Hyundai signed an agreement with six Korean aerospace institutions. Together, they created an advisory organization to develop a lunar rover.