Hyundai Elevate: The World's First Ultimate Mobility Vehicle
Introduction
Hyundai captured attention at the 2019 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) with its prototype vehicle, the Elevate, designed to walk. This innovative design combines electric vehicle technology with robotics, enabling it to navigate rugged terrains that even the most capable off-road vehicles cannot traverse.
Vehicle Design
The Elevate was primarily designed to provide an efficient, quick, and flexible mode of transport to assist in disaster and emergency situations, such as search and rescue operations and humanitarian aid. The wheels, equipped with electric motors mounted on the axle, are connected to extendable robotic legs, allowing the vehicle to walk, climb, and overcome obstacles.
Superior Capabilities
At the ongoing exhibition in Las Vegas, Hyundai engineers showcased a miniature prototype of the vehicle to demonstrate its design functionality. The full-sized vehicle can climb over obstacles up to 1.5 meters high or cross gaps of the same width. Additionally, various bodies can be mounted on the vehicle's chassis and swapped out as needed for different functional purposes.
Expert Statements
John Suh, Vice President and head of Hyundai's CRADLE robotics-enhanced living design center, noted that current rescue vehicles can only bring emergency responders to the edge of a disaster site after a tsunami or earthquake, requiring them to proceed on foot. He stated, "The Elevate can reach the heart of the incident scene and climb over debris from floods, earthquakes, or landslides, making it a technological system that enhances emergency response capabilities."
He added, "People with mobility impairments worldwide, who lack ramps to aid their wheelchair access, could benefit from Hyundai's autonomous Elevate, which can carry them in their wheelchairs to their desired destinations; the potential uses for this vehicle are limitless."
Engineering Advantages
The Elevate is the result of three years of collaboration with the industrial design consultancy firm Sundberg-Ferar, as part of Hyundai's efforts to create innovative transportation technologies and solutions. The engineering advantages of the Elevate prototype include:
- Robotic legs with a five-degree range of motion, powered from within the wheel.
- Walking capability that mimics mammals and reptiles for multidirectional movement.
- Ability to climb a vertical wall of 1.5 meters.
- Ability to cross a gap of 1.5 meters wide.
- Non-reversible motors allow the legs to lock in position at any required stance.
- Modular platform for electric vehicles.
Future Vision
David Byron, design director at Sundberg-Ferar, stated that the Elevate prototype has the potential to transport individuals to locations inaccessible by conventional vehicles, redefining perceptions of mobility freedom. He added, "Imagine if a vehicle stuck in a snowbank just a few meters from the main road could 'walk' or 'climb' back to the road, enabling the rescue of injured passengers; this is the future we envision for vehicle mobility."
Hyundai's Future Strategy
The Elevate is part of Hyundai's roadmap for the future of mobility, highlighted at CES 2019, which focuses on providing maximum mobility freedom for its customers. Hyundai's vision is based on three main areas: advancements in 'open innovation', the company's strategy for electric vehicles, and its aim to take the lead in connected mobility.
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