Conceived as an intelligent urban mobility hub for electric vehicle (EV) assembly and innovation, Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Center Singapore (HGMICS) presents a new age of manufacturing in which humans and robots collaborate in a highly flexible and automated production system instead of the conventional conveyor belt set up. The assembly line, reimagined as a cell-based, modular production system, allows for a swifter response to diverse production needs.

Two things are key to the functionality and performance of this production system. The latter is enhanced by digital twin technology, which offers advanced monitoring and simulation through the real-time virtual synchronization of production flows. Optimisation of logistics paths effectively minimises inefficiencies prior to physical implementation, thereby reducing material wastage, production downtime and non-essential energy use.

The former demands for a spacious, column-free environment with a high ceiling for seamless configuration of machinery. The inherent flexibility required in the production line also necessitates an adaptable structure. Thus, conceptualised as extensive column-free zones with generous headroom, HMGICS’s advanced composite structural system utilises Thin Steel Composite (TSC), Prefabricated Reinforced Concrete (PRC) and Hollow Core Slabs (HCS). The resultant structural flexibility allows for the accommodation of evolving manufacturing technologies without extensive retrofitting, extending the building’s usage period and reducing embodied carbon over time.

Certified Green Mark Platinum – Super Low Energy, HGMICS adopts a span of active sustainability measures, including rooftop photovoltaic panels that generate approximately 1,866MWh of renewable energy annually, offsetting an estimated 8% of the building’s energy demand. A high-efficiency water-cooled chiller plant, coupled with advanced monitoring and control systems, ensures optimal air-conditioning performance and long-term energy savings. These comprehensive strategies come together to position HGMICS as a benchmark for sustainable industrial development, integrating advanced manufacturing and environmental responsibility within a future-ready urban ecosystem.