"Korea Construction history is the history of Hyundai Engineering and Construction Company," Associate Director of Division of Architectural Building and Works Overseas Chung Yoo-sung said. The year 2007 is Hyundai Engineering and Construction's 60th anniversary. From the construction of the Seoul-Pusan Highway in the 1970s to its newest Hill State apartments, Hyundai Engineering and Construction Company conducted a pilot frontier business that centered on residents' needs and desires.
Hyundai's creativity and enthusiasm are inspired by the former President Jung Joo-young. In the seventies, the largest piece of reclaimed land at that time along the waterfront was built in Seosan, on west coast of Korea, with a bright idea of the former President Jung. The west coast of Korea is known for its ebb and flow of the tide. Although Seosan was a very large tideland, Korea couldn't make a use of it for twelve hours a day every day. Tons of soil and rocks were poured into the bank to build a dike and stop the inflow of the tide, yet no one could come up with a solution to complete the dike because the flow rate of the water sped up as the area it flowed through decreased. Former President Jung came up with an idea to pour the rest of rocks and soil to complete a dike by abandoning a ship at the entrance of the narrowed bank. Many more inspiring episodes like this kept Hyundai Engineering and Construction progressing for sixty years. "Our focus is on making a suitable and comfortable residential area where technological advances are boon, not a hindrance. We try to incorporate Korean concepts so our buildings may not be as extravagant-looking as other apartments. Unlike certain other companies we don't dominate the residencies with name brand electronics or high technology. We select what is most necessary for our residents. One thing we really value is security," Associate Director Chung Yoo-sung continued, "That is the one benefit our residents really hope to gain from intelligent residence." How can these residencies not be overridden with technology, yet be so popular as to be sold out 100%
Hyundai notes that the advanced technology put in a Ubiquitous home should be human oriented. Throughout the survey and research, Hyundai learned that what the clients really need is a safe place to live and be healthy.
Seventeen Ubiquitous items that protect residents' safety and aid convenience are arranged in furniture and walls. The Uparking System is a system that transports the residents in the safest and the quickest way from the parking lot to the front door. As a resident puts a card on the card reader in the parking lot after parking, the elevator calculates the distance from where the card was read to the closest elevator the resident would reach. By the time the resident gets to the elevator, the elevator will be ready for him to enter. CCTV Focusing then shows the resident at the monitor in front of security. But that is not the end. The text message is automatically sent to family members letting them know that their house member just boarded an elevator.
Hyundai's One Pass Golden Key is a card that residents use for many purposes. It is the card that is used at the parking lot to call an elevator, at the front door to open the door, and as a T-Money card to use public transportation. These systems can only be seen in Hyundai apartments. As far as the client's high demand in healthcare systems is concerned, workout facilities and golfing centers have been provided for the residents.
Hyundai is taking the next step to apply information technology to build a U-health system. U-health is TV that allows residents to find health information and hospitals, which also check health conditions and health records. A camera at the front door scans the physical condition of a resident and sends the data to a server. The server analyzes the data and checks the person's health condition.
Every time a resident comes home from the outside, the scanned result adjusts the room temperature and the light according to the resident's physical condition. The U-Medical Mirror in the bathroom shows the results and the result is also transferred to UMom system in the kitchen to suggest a suitable diet. U-Mom is an intelligent cooking board system for the mothers who desire to cook healthy meals.
Based on the data that was provided from biometrics, the system analyzes the physical condition of an individual, the weather, and the food in the refrigerator to suggest the best menu to cook for a meal. Also, it reads the food's expiration dates and the ingredients that reduce in number, and orders the necessary ingredients for the residents. Hyundai's has developed pioneering security and health systems.
The gallery also shows an interesting mirror called The Door of the Future. This is also an innovative U-item of Hyundai. The door opens automatically according to the size of a person who approaches it. For instance, if a puppy passes through the door, the door only opens as much as the size of a puppy. An interactive TV under the closet elevates from the furniture when a user commands it to. It allows the user to do many things such as order clothes that an actor or an actress is wearing on the show as well. Interactive U-Education allows busy parents to assist with their children's homework via webcam and data transfer. Through video chat, parents can assist children with their homework even if they are away from home.
Another marketing strategy of Hyundai is Design. After the launch of the new brand Hillstate, foreign designers joined the projects and designed each complex with a different concept. French designer Jean Philippe Lenclos is in charge of colors. American designer Ryan Stevens designs the exterior of the building while an Italian designer is in charge of the bathroom. Hyundai Engineering and Construction recently signed an MOU with leading architectural design companies such as KMD, Gruzen Samton, and Perkins Eastman to apply an innovative and prestigious design to the residencies. Hyundai's close research is paying off. Clients want to live in safety and health. Comfortable and attractive design is next. By focusing on resident and residencies, Hyundai Engineering and Construction continues to write successful stories.
The next step is to reach the global market and serve as evangelist to introduce ubiquitous, or intelligent, construction. Hyundai Engineering and Construction is preparing to throw a road show in Singapore in the near future. "Singapore is a country that is known for its thorough inspection. They don't adopt anything unless it is verified under a careful inspection and proven safety. If we are approved by Singapore, making business with the rest of the countries will be easy,"
Associate Director Chung Yoo Sung concluded. Hyundai will promote public relations through various seminars and exhibitions to developers and architects. It is Hyundai Construction and Engineering's ultimate goal to propose Home Network System to the countries that are not familiar with the system.
