Hyundai's Seed Ball Drone Station helps forest restoration

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) has completed the development of the Ioniq 9-based Seed Ball Drone Station to support forest restoration projects in South Korea, following the launch of the Ioniq 5 Monitoring Drone Station in 2023.

The new project will begin in Uljin, a region on South Korea's East Coast that was severely affected by widespread wildfires in 2022.

Hyundai aims to expand the Ioniq lineup-based drone stations to global Ioniq Forest projects in the future

In June of last year, Hyundai signed a five-year partnership agreement with the South Korea National Arboreta and Gardens Institute to conduct forest monitoring and data collection activities using the Ioniq 5 Monitoring Drone Station to assist in restoring areas affected by wildfires.

The newly developed Ioniq 9 Seed Ball Drone Station is a specially designed vehicle based on the Ioniq 9, in collaboration with Guru E&T, a startup specialising in reforestation solutions and technologies. It is equipped to facilitate tree planting, monitoring, and restoration of damaged forest areas.

The Ioniq 9's spacious rear cabin has been equipped with a swivel seat, dual monitors, and a dedicated drone operation PC, transforming the SUV into a fully functional mobile field office

The station incorporates advanced features, such as a drone takeoff and landing platform built into the trunk, providing excellent operational flexibility. The drone system is also designed to ensure minimal impact on the surrounding ecosystem and is capable of dispersing seed balls from the air, making large-scale reforestation both practical and effective.

By adding the Ioniq 9 Seed Ball Drone Station to its ongoing Smart Forest Restoration Program, alongside the Ioniq 5 Monitoring Drone Station, Hyundai aims to accelerate reforestation across the wildfire-affected regions near Uljin and the East Coast.