Hyundai Mobis (KRX: 012330) has announced the successful development of a battery system capable of automatically suppressing fires at the cell level. The system deploys a fire extinguishing agent immediately upon detection of a cell ignition, preventing thermal runaway and blocking heat transfer to adjacent cells. This marks the first known technology designed to actively prevent thermal propagation at the source.
Unlike conventional systems that focus on delaying thermal runaway through heat-resistant materials, the Hyundai Mobis solution aims to prevent such events entirely. Regulatory bodies in Europe, China, and India currently mandate a minimum five-minute delay in thermal runaway following initial cell ignition, while some regions are tightening requirements to eliminate heat transfer altogether. The newly developed Battery System Assembly (BSA) by Hyundai Mobis aligns with these evolving global standards and is positioned as a next-generation safety solution for electric vehicles.
The BSA integrates a battery management system (BMS), hardware components including a battery case and a fire suppression device, and software designed to coordinate system response. Sensors continuously monitor real-time temperature, voltage, and internal pressure. When abnormal conditions are detected, the software determines the exact location for agent deployment and activates the fire suppression mechanism accordingly.
The control software is designed for rapid and precise response to physical changes in the battery environment. It incorporates multiple safety redundancies and a robust algorithm structure to ensure reliable operation. The fire extinguishing agent used is five times the volume of a standard 3.3-kilogram home extinguisher and features high cooling, insulation, and permeability properties. It is non-toxic and environmentally safe.
Hyundai Mobis has filed three domestic and international patent applications related to this technology. These include innovations in battery casing, the fire suppression system, and high-pressure agent delivery through specialized piping infrastructure.
Park Yong Jun, Vice President of the Battery System R&D Group at Hyundai Mobis, stated, “As electric vehicles with extended range enter the market, safety standards for battery systems are becoming more stringent. Our objective is to lead in the development of integrated hardware and software solutions that not only meet but exceed global safety expectations.”
In parallel, Hyundai Mobis is also advancing a new thermal management material known as a pulsating heat pipe. Composed of aluminum alloy and refrigerant, this material is designed to be positioned between battery cells to reduce system temperatures during high-demand conditions, including fast charging. The company is currently working to commercialize this technology as a supplementary thermal control system.
Hyundai Mobis ranks as the world’s sixth-largest automotive supplier and is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. The company specializes in advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), sensor technologies, ECU integration, and software for safety control. Its product portfolio includes electrification components, braking systems, chassis and suspension modules, steering systems, airbags, lighting, and automotive electronics. Hyundai Mobis operates a global R&D network, including its headquarters in Korea and technology centers in the United States, Germany, China, and India.
