Hyundai Motor Company has completed development of its IONIQ 9-based Seed Ball Drone Station to support reforestation efforts in Uljin, on Korea’s East Coast, following the successful launch of the IONIQ 5 Monitoring Drone Station in 2023. The new off-road capable vehicle will begin operations in the wildfire-affected region this summer, using aerial seed dispersal to accelerate tree planting in remote terrain.
Last year, Hyundai signed a five-year partnership with the Korea National Arboreta and Gardens Institute and social venture Tree Planet, combining forest monitoring with restoration activities. While the IONIQ 5 station collected data and assessed damage, the IONIQ 9 Seed Ball Drone Station—developed in collaboration with reforestation specialist Guru E&T—adds active tree-planting capabilities to the Smart Forest Restoration Program.
Built on the flagship IONIQ 9 electric SUV, the station features a trunk-mounted drone takeoff and landing platform and an onboard vehicle-to-load charging system that powers drone operations without external support. Designed for zero tailpipe emissions, low noise and vibration, and improved ecosystem compatibility, the vehicle can reliably access rugged forest roads and steep slopes.
The large seed ball drone disperses clay-encased mixtures of soil, organic matter and seeds over wide areas, making large-scale planting practical where manual efforts are impractical. Inside the SUV, a swivel seat, dual monitors and a dedicated drone-operation PC convert the rear cabin into a mobile office, enabling real-time control and monitoring of planting missions.
This deployment in Uljin is part of Hyundai’s global IONIQ Forest corporate social responsibility initiative, launched in 2016 to engage communities in forest creation. To date, the program has planted themed forests in 13 countries, and Hyundai plans to introduce IONIQ-based drone stations to its international restoration projects in the near future.
