During the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Hyundai Motor announced a collaboration with Unity Software Inc. The purpose of this collaboration was to jointly develop a "meta-factory" ― a digital twin of Hyundai's automobile plant.
According to the automaker, Unity is a world leader in developing and operating a real-time 3D platform (RT3D). A broad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which covers intelligent manufacturing, artificial intelligence (AI) training, and autonomous driving simulation, was also signed by the two companies "virtually.
Hyundai wants to become the first automaker to build a "meta-factory. It will allow Hyundai to virtually test a real plant to optimize plant operations and enable plant managers to solve problems remotely.
Hyundai said the partnership also aims to create a virtual, real-time 3D platform that will target Hyundai's broad group of customers, offering a more comprehensive sales, marketing, and customer experience. The 3D platform will allow consumers to experience, test, and interact with various automotive developments digitally before choosing their car. 
The first Meta-Factory concept is planned to be completed by the end of 2022 at the Hyundai Mobility Global Innovation Center in Singapore (HMGICS), where the company is building an open innovation R&D center. Here, Hyundai and Unity intend to further accelerate innovation in smart manufacturing, including the integration of AI, 5G, and other advanced technologies into next-generation smart factory platforms.
