Nvidia, Hyundai Near Deal for AI R&D Hub in Saemangeum

Nvidia and Hyundai Motor Group are in final-stage talks to create an artificial intelligence research and development hub in Saemangeum on South Korea’s southwest coast. Nvidia Chief Executive Jensen Huang is scheduled to visit Seoul this week and meet Hyundai Executive Chair Euisun Chung on Friday. Neither company has confirmed a final agreement.

The discussions build on a collaboration announced in October 2025 to develop South Korea’s ‘physical AI’ ecosystem. That earlier plan included the delivery of 50,000 Nvidia Blackwell GPUs to support training, validation and deployment of AI models for in-vehicle systems, autonomous driving, smart factories and robotics. The 2025 agreement also outlined an AI Application Center and an AI Technology Center in South Korea.

Saemangeum is a government-backed reclamation and industrial development zone that South Korean authorities are promoting as a base for AI, robotics, hydrogen and renewable energy. Hyundai has been preparing a multi-billion-dollar investment in the region covering robotics, an AI data center and hydrogen infrastructure.

A local R&D hub would connect to Hyundai’s investments in electric vehicles, autonomous driving and robotics; the group owns Boston Dynamics and is increasing automation across its factories. For Nvidia, locating research and development in South Korea could provide closer access to memory chip suppliers, advanced manufacturers and industrial customers that use AI in physical machines.

Nvidia already relies on an Asian semiconductor supply chain. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company remains central to Nvidia’s chip production, while Singapore serves as a regional enterprise and data-center hub. A presence in South Korea would extend that network with a focus on AI applied to cars, robots and factories.

Huang’s Seoul schedule reportedly includes meetings with executives connected to SK, LG and Naver. Jeff Kim, an analyst at KB Securities, described the visit as ‘Jensen’s visit to Korea has a major implication. Nvidia needs Korea.’

Discussions are described as nearing completion, with Huang’s planned meetings giving the talks a clearer timetable. Both companies have yet to issue official confirmation of a final deal.