Hyundai Motor Group Introduces Car Sterilization Technology

Hyundai Motor Group has developed seat covers with zipper or velcro connect design. (image: Hyundai Motor Group)

SEOUL, May 11 (Korea Bizwire) — With a growing number of people focusing on virus-proofing their cars following the coronavirus outbreak, Hyundai Motor Group has developed solutions for disinfecting a car’s interior including the use of UV lights and the introduction of detachable seat covers.

South Korea’s top automaker announced Sunday that it is introducing various technologies to raise the standard of car hygiene, including ultraviolet (UV) lamps.

UV lamps are medically and scientifically proven to be effective, and have already been put to use in elevators at large hospitals.

They are also being used at several subway stations in Incheon to sterilize handrails on escalators.

Hyundai plans to sterilize the seats, dashboard, steering wheel, and other areas that receive high physical contact through the use of an interior UV lamp affixed to a vehicle’s ceiling.

UV exposure can pose a health risk to humans, so the company carries out the sterilization process only after the driver and passengers leave the car.

Hyundai is also developing cabin lights containing UV sterilization features to reach areas that the UV lamp on the ceiling cannot.

The company plans to enhance the power of UV rays for effective sterilization and broader reach.

Hyundai is also developing a UV photocatalyst module that can eliminate germs floating inside cars by reducing the carbon dioxide level inside the vehicle.

The only drawback with this method, however, is the rising production cost, which is another issue that the company is looking to address.

Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)