SEOUL (October 24, 2025) — On October 23, at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, during the ‘2025 Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition (ADEX)’, Hyundai Rotem announced that it had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with U.S. AI solutions company Shield AI to jointly develop defense AI-based multi-purpose drone operation technology.

This MOU focuses on applying autonomous mission technologies, capable of responding to asymmetric threats on the battlefield, to Hyundai Rotem’s next-generation manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) ground weapon systems. Modern warfare is seeing the spread of ‘asymmetric warfare’, where the distinction between frontlines is blurred due to early enemy detection using drones and the expansion of guerrilla warfare.

Hyundai Rotem plans to utilize Shield AI’s AI-based autonomous combat software platform, Hivemind Enterprise (HME), through a phased approach of research and development to advance autonomous combat mission technologies tailored for unmanned systems.

Shield AI’s HME is a tool for developing autonomous mission execution technology that enables collaboration and task allocation between platforms without human intervention. It is especially optimized for implementing core functions of MUM-T weapon systems, such as battlefield situational awareness, information sharing, autonomous decision-making and control, and cooperative strike missions. This software is mainly used in the introduction of next-generation unmanned strategic assets, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUV), in the U.S. and Australia.

Hyundai Rotem will first develop technology to equip next-generation ground weapon lineups with drones capable of autonomous missions. Subsequently, autonomous mission execution and swarm control systems for unmanned platforms, such as the multi-purpose unmanned vehicle HR-SHERPA or legged robots, will be devised. Swarm control is a technology that enables many unmanned systems to cooperate and move as a single group on the battlefield and is an essential element for the organic operation of MUM-T weapon systems.

In the final stage, Hyundai Rotem aims to develop technology that enables integrated command and control of various types of MUM-T weapon systems, based on the advanced AI technologies developed earlier, to prepare for future battlefields. The project is planned to be carried out in cooperation with Quantum Aero, Shield AI’s exclusive partner in Korea.

Hyundai Rotem plans to diversify its global technology cooperation network through ‘open innovation’, actively adopting various defense AI and advanced technologies to flexibly respond to technological advances and market changes.

A Hyundai Rotem official stated, “We plan to proactively evolve next-generation ground weapon systems in line with rapidly changing global battlefield trends,” and added, “We will continue to strive to contribute to Korea’s leap forward as an ‘AI-strong military’.”

About Shield AI

Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed deep-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include the V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With nine offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide.

For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.

Media contact: Lily Hinz; media@shield.ai