Hyundai IONIQ 9 Drone Station for Forest Restoration

Seoul, South Korea - Hyundai Motor Company announced on Thursday that it has developed a drone station based on its IONIQ 9 electric vehicle, designed for forest restoration in wildfire-damaged areas of South Korea.

The IONIQ 9 Seed Ball Drone Station will commence operations in Uljin, a region on the East Coast of Korea, which was affected by wildfires in 2022.

The vehicle features a drone takeoff and landing platform in the trunk and utilizes vehicle-to-load technology to provide power for drone operations.

The drone disperses seed balls from the air. The seed balls are clay spheres that contain soil, organic matter, and seeds.

The system produces zero tailpipe emissions and operates with low noise and low vibration, the company said.

Hyundai developed the station in collaboration with Guru E&T, a startup specializing in reforestation solutions and technologies. The IONIQ 9's rear cabin contains a swivel seat, dual monitors, and a drone operation computer.

The vehicle boasts off-road driving capabilities, enabling access to remote forest areas.

The company stated that the system will enhance its Smart Forest Restoration Program in wildfire-affected regions near Uljin and the East Coast.

Hyundai operates the program under a five-year partnership agreement signed in June 2024 with the Korea National Arboreta and Gardens Institute, a subsidiary of the Korea Forest Service, and Tree Planet, a social venture that plants trees.

In 2023, the company launched the IONIQ 5 Monitoring Drone Station.

The Uljin project is part of Hyundai Motor's IONIQ Forest initiative, launched in 2016. The project operates in 13 countries, including the United States, Brazil, Vietnam, India, and the Czech Republic. Hyundai said it plans to expand the drone stations to global IONIQ Forest projects.