Hyundai Motor, Kia unveil in-vehicle ultraviolet sanitization technology

Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Corp. has unveiled “Plasma Care UVC,” an in-vehicle sanitization technology that uses a plasma lamp to sanitize the vehicle cabin environment and reduce odors, including while passengers are present, according to a press release.

“Unlike conventional ultraviolet sterilization, which can pose risks to the skin and eyes upon direct exposure, Hyundai Motor and Kia’s newly developed Plasma Care UVC utilizes far-ultraviolet C (Far-UVC) light in the 200-230 nanometer (nm) range,” the release states.

“This specific wavelength delivers high energy for an effective sanitizing effect, while its limited penetration depth is designed to remain on the outer keratin layer of human skin without reaching deeper layers. In contrast, bacteria and viruses lack this protective barrier, allowing Far-UVC light to penetrate and destroy their DNA.”

By effectively targeting bacteria and microorganisms, Hyundai and Kia say that Plasma Care UVC also helps remove odor-causing substances produced during their proliferation.

The automakers say they have successfully adapted Far-UVC technology for use in vehicle cabin environments by developing a compact, durable system that is powered by a specialized plasma lamp and reinforced with advanced safety controls. 

“While conventional UVC (255-280 nm) is restricted to enclosed spaces, such as toothbrush sterilizers and vehicle glove boxes, because direct human exposure to this wavelength can be harmful, Far-UVC (200–230 nm) is designed for use in occupied environments such as hospitals and schools,” the release sates.

It states that applying Far-UVC to open vehicle cabin spaces required addressing several key challenges, including confined cabin space compared to typical room environments, high concentrations of electronic components, and close proximity to passengers.

To overcome these challenges, Hyundai Motor and Kia implemented the following solutions:

• • “Adopted a plasma lamp to generate Far-UVC (200-230 nm) wavelengths, which are difficult to achieve with conventional LED technology, developed with consideration for occupied-cabin environments, while supporting effective cabin treatment and sanitization.
  • “Optimized the system for in-vehicle use by reducing its size while improving power efficiency, compared to conventional systems designed for larger spaces such as hospitals and schools.
  • “Ensured reliable operation under vibrations, temperature fluctuations, and demanding driving conditions.
  • “Applied a specialized optical filter to provide an additional layer of protection, intended to support the emission of only controlled Far-UVC wavelengths.”

The release adds that the automakers validated the technology’s efficacy by conducting various tests — from component to full-vehicle evaluations — in collaboration with certified testing bodies and specialized research institutions.

A spatial sanitization evaluation was conducted to simulate a vehicle cabin environment. In an 8-cubic-meter chamber under controlled conditions, tests by the Korea Testing Laboratory (KTL) confirmed a 96.8% reduction in airborne viruses within 30 minutes, according to the release.

It adds that joint research with Seoul National University’s Agriculture and Life Sciences Venture Center showed that, under the tested conditions, exposing pneumonia-causing bacteria to Far-UVC light through the Plasma Care UVC resulted in a 99.9% eradication rate after 30 seconds, with complete eradication after 60 seconds.

In collaboration with the Korea Automotive Technology Institute (KATECH), the technology was applied to a Kia PV5. The test confirmed a 99.9% eradication of Escherichia coli (E. coli) after 40 minutes of irradiation under the tested conditions, the release states.

To introduce this first-of-its-kind technology in an open vehicle cabin environment, Hyundai Motor and Kia will continue conducting rigorous technical validation in line with international safety standards prior to implementation in production vehicles.

“Plasma Care UVC was developed for use in open vehicle cabin environments with passengers, moving beyond conventional sanitization methods that are limited to enclosed areas,” said Han Joo Jang, Hyundai Motor and Kia  MPV senior research engineer and small sized vehicle interior engineering design team 2, in the release. “We expect it to serve as a valuable cabin hygiene solution that delivers a more pleasant mobility experience across future mobility scenarios, including autonomous driving and purpose-built vehicles.”

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Images, chart, and video provided by Hyundai and Kia