Hyundai Outlines Path to Level 2+ Autonomous Vehicles by 2027

Hyundai Motor Group has committed to deploying Level 2+ autonomous driving features across its vehicle range by the end of 2027, as part of a broader pivot towards software‐defined vehicles. The announcement was made during Hyundai’s “Pleos 25” developer conference in Seoul, where the company also introduced its new Pleos software brand and related technology platforms.

The Level 2+ system will use cameras and radar sensors, coupled with artificial intelligence deep learning models, to allow more complex decision-making on the road, beyond basic driver assistance. Hyundai says this technology will evolve continuously in the field through over-the-air updates, turning cars into “learning machines”. Concurrency between hardware and software development is being emphasised: a modular hardware base, high-performance neural processing units, and lightweight architectures are key design features.

At Pleos 25, Hyundai also disclosed key components of its SDV ecosystem. The Pleos operating system, developed in-house, aims to support both core vehicle functions and user-facing services via an infotainment subsystem called Pleos Connect. This subsystem is scheduled to debut in the second quarter of 2026, and the company plans for it to be fitted in over 20 million vehicles by 2030. Alongside this, Pleos Playground will serve as an app development and marketplace environment for in-vehicle services, while the Next Urban Mobility Alliance will work on integrating vehicles with infrastructure and public mobility services.

Hyundai is also adjusting its vehicle architecture to facilitate this software-first ambition. The group is decoupling hardware and software layers, standardising electronic and electrical architecture, and moving toward modular, zone-based controllers. The move is intended to simplify integration of autonomous features across models and speed up both feature deployment and updates.

Other initiatives underscore Hyundai’s ambition in autonomous mobility. The company is collaborating with Plus to combine its hydrogen fuel-cell truck XCIENT with autonomous driving capabilities for long-haul freight. It is also working with Avride to build out robotaxi services using Hyundai IONIQ 5 EVs in the United States.