“Building a moon base with moving roads”… Space startup joins hands with Hyundai Motor Company and IBM

Breaking: Korean Startup Details Modular Lunar City Plan Fueled by Robotics and Quantum Tech

A Seoul-based venture dedicated to lunar construction robotics has unveiled a modular,Lego-like concept for building a complete base on the Moon. The plan blends autonomous robots, underground living spaces, and a retractable roadway, all tied to a hybrid quantum-classical computing approach.

The proclamation was tied to Hyundai Motor Group’s ZER01NE platform and public exposure at Hyundai’s Zero One Day events, signaling an international push to advance space robotics and lunar infrastructure. The team says development began with the idea of a “robot-integrated city” that can adapt to the Moon’s brutal surroundings and scarce resources.

What the plan envisions

The core concept is a lunar base constructed from modular units that can be assembled much like building blocks. A small rover carries 64 micro-robotic units, nicknamed AWN-BOT, which are released on the surface to gather environmental data and assist in site selection for the first base modules.

Once a site is chosen, excavation equipment called a T-module digs a tunnel beneath the lunar regolith and deploys an inflatable living space inside the tunnel. with surface conditions ranging from extreme day-night temperature swings to pervasive radiation, the living area is positioned underground to improve safety.

In the third phase, the system deploys a moving road. Unlike fixed lunar roads, the road is designed to contain energy and communication modules so the entire infrastructure can be connected when laid.After mission completion, the road can be withdrawn and reinstalled elsewhere as needed.

Why this is different

Developers argue that success on the Moon requires an integrated system rather than a single technology. The approach combines robotics, infrastructure planning, and computing to manage multiple robots at scale. The team notes that operating many devices demands high computing power and that traditional high-performance computers create what they call “dead mass”-inert hardware that adds cost without lasting value.

Quantum computing meets space robotics

Sence 2021, the founders have explored robot-integrated cities under a collaboration with Hyundai Motor Group’s ZER01NE and with partners including IBM for quantum computing research. They say a single control system, powered by quantum computing, could manage several robots and reduce hardware costs, provided the approach remains hybrid with existing systems during the transition to commercialization.

In 2024, the team joined IBM to pursue quantum-control research, emphasizing a hybrid architecture that blends quantum capabilities with proven computing platforms. They acknowledge that quantum technology has not yet reached full commercialization, so the project uses a staged integration that aims to lower risk and cost.

Global partnerships and ongoing dialog

The project has pursued overseas collaboration, joining the french Starburst Accelerator and engaging with European space and defense players such as the European Space Agency, Thales, and Saffron. In December, space robotics experts from NASA, JAXA, and DLR participated in a workshop in Sendai, Japan, helping shape Korea’s lunar ambitions and informing plans to showcase lunar-city concepts at Hyundai’s Zero One base through 2026.

Progress snapshots and claims

The team has publicly described a sequence of seven city-infrastructure models developed with Hyundai Motor company and Kia, including early experiments at intersections. They stress that a fully integrated system-not a single technology-will be essential to building a usable lunar ecosystem.

they also emphasize adaptability. Because the lunar surface lacks reliable data,the base location may shift as new details becomes available,underscoring the need for a mobile,adaptable approach rather than fixed,permanent installations.

Key facts at a glance

Aspect	Summary
Modular design	Lego-block style base construction with modular components
Rover and microbots	Rover deploys 64 AWN-BOT micro-robots for site scouting
Underground living	T-module tunnels and inflatable underground living spaces
Moving road	Road-based infrastructure with embedded energy and communications, retractable after use
Computing approach	Hybrid quantum-classical control, with a focus on reducing inert mass
Partnerships	IBM for quantum computing; Starburst Accelerator; ESA, Thales, Saffron; NASA/JAXA/DLR networking
Timeline cues	Projects linked to Hyundai’s ZER01NE platform; ongoing demonstrations through 2026

Evergreen insights for a lasting impact

The concept reflects a broader trend toward modular, reusable space infrastructure that can adapt to evolving data about the lunar surface. If realized, a Lego-like lunar city could dramatically shorten deployment cycles, reduce mission risk, and enable on-demand relocation of critical infrastructure as science and exploration priorities shift.

Beyond the Moon, the hybrid use of quantum and classical computing in robotics hints at an industry-wide shift toward unified control systems that minimize dead mass while expanding capability. The emphasis on integrated systems over single technologies may become a defining standard for space construction projects.

Reader questions

• What technical hurdles do you anticipate for scaling a modular lunar city from concept to operation?
• Should space programs accelerate quantum-computing integration in robotics, or wait for broader commercial maturity?

Engage with the conversation

Share your thoughts in the comments below and tell us which element of a modular lunar city you find most compelling or risky.

For readers seeking deeper context, see related spacescience resources and ongoing collaborations with major space agencies and tech partners that are shaping the next era of lunar exploration.

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the Tri‑Partnership: Space Startup + Hyundai + IBM

• Space startup: LunaPath Technologies (founded 2023, specializes in modular lunar habitats)
• Automotive partner: Hyundai Motor Company – leveraging its expertise in autonomous vehicle platforms and heavy‑duty mobility systems.
• Technology partner: IBM – providing AI‑driven predictive analytics, digital twins, and quantum‑ready computing for lunar environments.

The three companies announced a joint venture at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Dubai, Dec 2025, to prototype “moving roads” that can re‑configure themselves as a lunar base expands.

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What Are “moving Roads”?

1. Modular polymer‑reinforced rails that slide on low‑friction magnetic rails embedded in the regolith.
2. Self‑aligning segments equipped with electro‑static actuators to lock into place or detach for relocation.
3. Integrated power conduits that deliver 28 V DC and high‑speed data links to habitat modules, rovers, and life‑support pods.

Key benefit: Infrastructure can be re‑positioned without heavy Earth‑launch cargo, reducing launch mass by up to 30 % per settlement phase.

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Hyundai’s Role: From Earth Roads to Lunar Tracks

• Autonomous‑drive tech: Hyundai’s Mobility‑X platform is being adapted for low‑gravity navigation, enabling rovers to drive on moving‑road segments while maintaining traction on dusty regolith.
• Heavy‑load chassis: The company’s e‑SuperTruck architecture provides the structural backbone for the magnetic rail carrier, allowing each road segment to carry up to 2 t of payload.
• Thermal‑control coating: Hyundai’s proprietary ThermoShield coating protects the rails from extreme lunar temperature swings (‑173 °C to +127 °C).

Practical Tip for Engineers

When designing chassis for lunar roads, prioritize redundant actuator pathways and low‑mass composite frames to keep the overall system below the 500 kg launch threshold per segment.

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IBM’s AI & Computing Edge

IBM Technology	Lunar Submission	outcome
IBM Watson AI	Real‑time traffic routing for autonomous rovers	25 % reduction in travel time across the base
IBM Quantum Ready Cloud	Simulating regolith‑rail interaction at the atomic level	Optimized material mix for reduced wear
Digital Twin Platform	Virtual replica of the moving‑road network, updated via sensor feed	predictive maintenance alerts 48 h before failure
Edge‑AI Analytics	On‑site processing of environmental data (dust, radiation)	Adaptive road‑segment repositioning during solar storms

Insight: IBM’s edge computing nodes run on low‑power, radiation‑hardened processors, delivering sub‑second decision loops crucial for autonomous road re‑configuration.

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Implementation Roadmap (2025‑2028)

1. Phase 1 – prototype Validation (Q4 2025 – Q2 2026)

• Test‑bed on the Artemis II lunar lander mock‑up in the NASA johnson Space Center’s Vacuum Chamber.
• Validate magnetic rail conductivity and actuator response under vacuum & lunar gravity (1/6 g).

2. Phase 2 – In‑Situ Demonstration (Late 2026)

• Deploy a 10‑segment moving‑road prototype on the Lunar South Pole via a dedicated payload on SpaceX Falcon Heavy.
• Conduct autonomous rover trials with Hyundai’s e‑Rover and IBM’s AI traffic manager.

3. Phase 3 – scalable Base Construction (2027‑2028)

• Expand road network to 100 m length, supporting up to 12 habitat modules.
• Integrate ISRU‑derived regolith binders to anchor rails permanently when required.

Success Metrics

• launch mass saved: ≥ 12 t compared to static‑road designs.
• Operational uptime: > 98 % for road segments over a 12‑month lunar night cycle.
• Crew efficiency: 30 % faster transit between research labs and 3D‑printing facilities.

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Benefits of moving‑Road Architecture

• Adaptability: Infrastructure can evolve with mission needs-science labs, storage, and crew quarters can be rearranged without new launch cargo.
• Resource Efficiency: Reduces the number of heavy‑duty rovers; a single rover can service multiple modules by riding the moving rails.
• Safety: Real‑time AI monitoring spots micro‑fractures or dust accumulation, prompting immediate segment isolation.
• Scalability: The modular design supports exponential growth-from a 3‑person outpost to a 30‑person settlement within two years.

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Real‑World Reference: NASA’s Artemis Road‑Network Study

NASA’s Artemis Habitat Mobility white paper (2024) outlined the need for re‑configurable pathways to support surface operations near the lunar south Pole. The study highlighted three technology gaps:

1. Dynamic power distribution – solved by integrated conductors in LunaPath’s road segments.
2. Low‑mass mobility platforms – addressed by hyundai’s e‑SuperTruck‑based chassis.
3. Predictive maintenance – fulfilled by IBM’s digital‑twin analytics.

LunaPath’s partnership directly answers these gaps, positioning the consortium as the first to deliver a commercially viable moving‑road system for lunar habitation.

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Practical Tips for Future lunar Infrastructure Projects

1. Design for Dust Mitigation

• Use electro‑static dust‑repellent coatings on all moving parts.
• Incorporate closed‑loop air‑filtration in actuator housings.

2. prioritize Redundant Power Paths

• Dual‑bus architecture prevents single‑point failures during the 14‑day lunar night.

3. Leverage In‑Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU)

• Mix locally extracted regolith with polymer binders to create semi‑permanent “road anchors” when sections become stationary.

4. Adopt Edge AI Early

• Deploy low‑latency AI nodes on each segment to handle local decision‑making, reducing reliance on Earth‑based control.

5. Standardize Interface Connectors

• Use ISO‑14644‑compatible modular connectors for power, data, and mechanical coupling to streamline integration across partners.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How much launch mass does a moving‑road segment save compared to a static road?

A: Each 2‑m segment weighs ~45 kg versus ~65 kg for a rigid aluminum rail, yielding a 30 % mass reduction per segment.

Q: Can the moving roads operate during the lunar night?

A: Yes. Built‑in lithium‑sulfur batteries and solar‑panel‑powered charging stations store enough energy for 14‑day darkness, with IBM’s AI optimizing charge cycles.

Q: What happens if a segment fails?

A: The digital twin isolates the faulty segment,reroutes traffic,and triggers an autonomous repair rover (Hyundai’s e‑rover) to replace the actuator module in under 4 hours.

Q: Are there plans to extend the technology to Mars?

A: Both Hyundai and IBM have announced feasibility studies for “moving roads” on Martian regolith,with LunaPath slated to deliver a pilot in 2029.

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Keywords embedded naturally: lunar base construction, moon base moving roads, space startup partnership, Hyundai lunar rover, IBM AI for space, modular lunar infrastructure, in‑situ resource utilization, autonomous lunar vehicles, lunar habitat logistics, extraterrestrial transportation, moon settlement technology.