SEOUL, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- Hyundai Motor, South Korea's biggest car manufacturer, launched new research centers to develop core technologies and focus on autonomous driving system, the company said in a statement Tuesday.
Hyundai said it established the Strategic Technology Research Institute, an integrated research center to develop core future technologies such as robotics, artificial intelligence, new materials, and information and communications technology.
Based on the newly developed technologies, Hyundai planned to create new business models in a bid to become a market shaper rather than remain a follower.
South Korean company also announced on Feb. 13 that it launched a new research center to focus on driverless car technology, named Intelligent Safety Technology Center.
The self-driving cars have increasingly been in the limelight as the cars, which can drive without human input, can become a key market for the global auto industry.
According to market researcher Juniper Research, around 22 million driverless cars are forecast to be sold around the world by 2025.
Hyundai integrated personnel and divisions to build the autonomous driving research institute to achieve its goal of developing cars that can technically delete a steering wheel from the cabin in the end.
