Hyundai Motor hires former GM researcher to lead self-driving car centre

FILE PHOTO - The logo of Hyundai Motor is seen on a wheel of a car at a Hyundai dealership in Seoul February 1, 2012. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji/File Photo

SEOUL: Hyundai Motor Group has hired a former General Motors researcher to oversee its centre to develop fully autonomous vehicles, joining other automakers and Silicon Valley giants in accelerating efforts on the fast-growing technology. 

Lee Jin-woo, 47, who has previously led autonomous driving technology development at General Motors (GM) for more than a decade, will head the newly established Intelligent Safety Technology Centre – a combined research body for Hyundai Motor and its affiliate Kia Motors – starting on Feb 13.