Vertical: Manufacturing
Application: Smart factory automation, real-time quality control, automated guided vehicles
Ecosystem: Nokia, Qualcomm, Samsung
Private Network: 5G
Hyundai Motor Group’s Metaplant America (HMGMA) in Bryan County, Georgia represents a major leap in manufacturing innovation through its deployment of a private 5G network. This $7.59 billion facility, which celebrated its grand opening on March 26, 2025, stands at the forefront of smart factory technology, producing up to 500,000 Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis electric vehicles annually when at full capacity.
At the heart of HMGMA’s technological prowess lies its advanced private 5G network infrastructure. In partnership with Samsung Electronics, Hyundai has implemented a dedicated private 5G system that ensures no external interference and enables seamless data transmission—essential for smart manufacturing with centralized control of industrial robots and devices. This connectivity foundation powers what HMGMA executives describe as “a highly connected, automated, and flexible manufacturing system, which organically connects all elements of the EV and hybrid ecosystem.”
The facility’s 5G network incorporates innovative RedCap (Reduced Capability) technology, which Hyundai and Samsung successfully trialed earlier this year. RedCap streamlines 5G connectivity for small-size IoT devices by lowering complexity and increasing battery life while still ensuring desired data speeds Samsung. This advancement enables previously challenging applications, as RedCap “now enables high-speed wireless communication for vehicle inspection equipment, small tools, cameras and tablets” throughout the massive manufacturing complex.
One prominent application of this technology is Hyundai’s Diagnostic Scan (D Scan) system, which features Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X35 5G Modem-RF System, enabling real-time wireless vehicle inspections. This system ensures every assembled vehicle meets quality standards before leaving the production line – a task that was previously challenging with traditional Wi-Fi networks due to interference and connection instability.
Beyond quality control, the private 5G network supports a comprehensive AI-driven manufacturing ecosystem. All processes – order collection, procurement, logistics and production – are optimized using AI and real-time data, while cutting-edge robotics and vision systems ensure high-quality vehicle production. This creates what Hyundai calls “a human-centered work environment with robots assisting human workers.”
The facility also employs over 200 autonomous mobile robots for materials handling, made possible by the consistent, low-latency communication provided by the private 5G network. As one Hyundai spokesperson explained, “[RedCap] is an excellent option for scenarios where low latency is essential. This includes operating many automated guided vehicles, autonomous mobile robots, monitoring work safety, running mission-critical applications, and remote control.”
The HMGMA plant began production in Q4 2024, ahead of its originally scheduled Q1 2025 start date, with the 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 as its first vehicle. Following this successful launch, the facility will also produce the all-electric 2026 IONIQ 9 three-row SUV.
Hyundai’s implementation of private 5G with RedCap technology at HMGMA provides a blueprint for future manufacturing facilities. The technology is considered “a catalyst for the widespread adoption of private 5G networks at manufacturing facilities, construction sites, academic campuses, and more.” Having proven the concept at its Georgia plant, Hyundai plans to integrate this private 5G technology into its new EV-dedicated plant in Ulsan, South Korea, opening in 2026.
