Hyundai Glovis and Samsung C&T to Automate Office Logistics

Recap

Source: 로봇신문, report of Sept. 17, 2026

According to the report, Hyundai Glovis and Samsung C&T Construction signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on September 17 to jointly develop a smart building logistics automation and robot delivery service. The agreement was formalized at a ceremony held at Hyundai Glovis’s Seongsu headquarters in Seoul, attended by Han Kyu-heon, head of the Future Innovation Technology Center, and Jo Hye-jung, head of the DxP Division at Samsung C&T.

The core of the partnership involves the development of autonomous mobile robot (AMR) solutions for unmanned delivery of mail and packages. Under the agreement, Hyundai Glovis will focus on developing solutions for collecting, storing, and transporting goods within buildings. Samsung C&T will concentrate on analyzing facility characteristics, developing service frameworks, and creating the operational environment necessary for smart building solutions.

The envisioned service allows robots to receive, store, and classify deliveries at a mail room, then autonomously navigate between ground and underground levels to deliver items directly to specific floors and workstations. The companies intend to apply AI and robotics technologies to the entire logistics process, from intake to final delivery, aiming to improve operational efficiency and optimize building management. They plan to identify application sites and conduct proof-of-concept (PoC) tests next year to refine the service and develop a commercialization model.

Context

Hyundai Glovis has been actively expanding its logistics automation portfolio, notably through the acquisition of automation specialist Altio in 2023. The company has recently emphasized a "physical AI" strategy, integrating automation equipment, robotics, and data-driven operations to provide customized logistics solutions. Meanwhile, Samsung C&T is a major player in the smart building sector, leveraging its construction and facility management expertise to integrate digital technologies into real estate assets. This collaboration represents a convergence of logistics technology and real estate management, a trend gaining traction as companies seek to reduce manual labor in office environments and enhance tenant experience through advanced automation.

Robot's take

This partnership highlights a growing interest in applying industrial logistics automation to commercial real estate. While AMRs are already common in warehouses, their integration into multi-story office buildings presents unique challenges, such as navigating elevators, managing traffic in shared spaces, and ensuring security for sensitive documents. The success of this project will depend on how well the robots can handle the complexity of office environments compared to controlled warehouse settings. It is not yet clear whether the service will be offered as a standalone product or integrated into broader smart building platforms. Observers should watch the results of the planned PoC tests next year, which will provide concrete data on reliability and user acceptance.