Electric SUV Model Hyundai Ioniq 9 participates in forest rejuvenation efforts utilizing drones.
Hyundai's Ioniq 9 Seed Ball Drone Station Speeds Up Global Reforestation Efforts
Hyundai's innovative Ioniq 9 Seed Ball Drone Station is revolutionizing reforestation efforts worldwide. This cutting-edge technology involves a large drone, carried and operated from the Ioniq 9 electric SUV, that disperses seed balls—clay spheres containing soil, organic matter, and seeds—over hard-to-reach or wildfire-damaged forest areas [2][4].
The Ioniq 9 Seed Ball Drone Station serves as a mobile office for targeted reforesting work. The SUV's interior has been transformed to host a swivel seat, dual monitors, and a dedicated drone operation PC, enabling teams to work efficiently while on the move [3]. The rear cabin now functions as a base for accessing remote areas, allowing the team to travel directly to locations that require reforesting [3].
Hyundai's reforestation projects are being carried out in 13 different countries, including the United States, Mexico, Türkiye, India, Brazil, China, Singapore, and Vietnam [1]. The company's sustainability initiatives cover multiple regions worldwide, promoting renewable energy and forest-related environmental goals [1].
One of Hyundai's forestry projects is in Uljin, South Korea, where the automaker hopes that by dispersing a wide number of seed balls rapidly across affected areas, reforesting efforts will be faster than using traditional methods [1]. This aerial seeding method makes large-scale reforestation effective and practical, especially in remote or difficult terrain inaccessible to people, accelerating forest regeneration [2][4].
Hyundai's Ioniq Forest project, launched in 2016, includes countries such as Brazil, Vietnam, and the United States [1]. In 2024, Hyundai entered into a five-year partnership with the Korea National Arboreta and Gardens Institute [5]. As a result of this partnership, the Ioniq 9 Seed Ball Drone Station was built.
The Ioniq 9's V2L system allows the Seed Ball Drone to be charged directly from the SUV's high-voltage battery [2]. Hyundai plans to roll-out its Ioniq-based drone stations to its forest projects in the near future [6]. The Seed Ball Drone can be flown to locations that are difficult to access, making it possible to plant trees in areas that would otherwise be inaccessible [2].
The Clay spheres containing soil, organic matter, and seeds are dropped by the Seed Ball Drone onto the ground in need of reforesting [2]. Hyundai previously built a drone monitoring station in 2023 using the Ioniq 5 electric SUV for reforesting efforts [7]. The Ioniq 9's off-road ability allows the team to travel directly to areas that require reforesting, making it easier to reach remote locations [3].
In conclusion, Hyundai's Ioniq 9 Seed Ball Drone Station is a game-changer in the field of reforestation. By employing drone technology, Hyundai is making large-scale reforestation effective and practical, especially in remote or difficult terrain inaccessible to people, accelerating forest regeneration in countries such as the U.S., Mexico, Türkiye, India, Brazil, China, Singapore, and Vietnam.
- The Ioniq 9 Seed Ball Drone Station, revolutionizing reforestation efforts, is carried and operated from Hyundai's electric SUV, the Ioniq 9.
- The drone disperses seed balls, clay spheres containing soil, organic matter, and seeds, over hard-to-reach or wildfire-damaged forest areas.
- The Ioniq 9's interior has been transformed to host a swivel seat, dual monitors, and a dedicated drone operation PC, enabling teams to work efficiently while on the move.
- Hyundai's reforestation projects, covering renewable energy and forest-related environmental goals, are being carried out in 13 different countries.
- Hyundai's Ioniq 9's V2L system allows the Seed Ball Drone to be charged directly from the SUV's high-voltage battery.
- The Seed Ball Drone can be flown to locations that are difficult to access, making it possible to plant trees in areas that would otherwise be inaccessible.
- Hyundai's Ioniq 9's off-road ability allows the team to travel directly to areas that require reforesting, making it easier to reach remote locations.
- By employing drone technology, Hyundai is accelerating forest regeneration in various electric vehicles (EVs), contributing to climate-change mitigation and enhancing the lifestyle and gadgets sector through technological innovation in environmental-science.
