Introduction
Hyundai has been in the car business for decades, but it’s only recently started trying to reinvent itself as a design-focused brand like Tesla. And the Hyundai Elevate concept — which would allow an electric all-wheel drive SUV chassis to walk like a spider — is just one example of its efforts to do so.
A car with a walking robot on the hood.
Hyundai’s Elevate concept car is a bold step towards the future of mobility. The vehicle is designed to be used in any environment and by any person, whether they are disabled or not. It has four seats, but can also accommodate wheelchair users thanks to its modular design.
The biggest feature of this car is a robotic leg called the Hyundai Elevate. This robot can walk, climb, jump and even do push-ups—which really isn’t necessary for driving purposes but we all know you have to take time for yourself sometimes between carpooling kids around town and picking up groceries on your way home from work! In addition to being able to help people out during an emergency situation (like a tornado), this robot could be used for search and rescue missions as well!
A car controlled by eye movements.
Eye tracking technology is one of the most exciting developments in the automotive industry. The system uses cameras and infrared lights to detect where you are looking on a screen, which can then be used to control car's systems like navigation, entertainment and more. Hyundai has already demonstrated this technology with its recently unveiled 2020 Hyundai Nexo hydrogen fuel cell vehicle that debuted at CES 2019.
A car that can read drivers' moods and emotions.
When you're behind the wheel of this new Hyundai, an array of sensors will monitor your emotions and moods. They'll tell a computer whether you're feeling happy, sad or angry—and that information can be used to help improve driving habits.
And not just by telling drivers they need to take a deep breath or relax. If a driver is in a bad mood while driving, the system could adjust things like the music being played or even how fast the car is moving in order to get them back into a good frame of mind. That may sound creepy at first blush (what if my boss uses it to spy on me?), but consider how many times have you driven home from work only to realize that all day long your brain was elsewhere? A system like this could keep us more focused on the road and less distracted by texts from friends who are upset over Trump's latest tweetstorm
Those are all prototypes Hyundai is working on as it tries to reinvent itself from a value and fuel efficiency leader, to a design and technology innovator.
You might not associate Hyundai with innovation. After all, the company is based in South Korea and has made cars for over 80 years. But in the US market it's only been making cars for about 40 years—and it's been a leader in fuel efficiency and value since its inception.
With that being said, Hyundai has recently put a lot of effort into innovation. One example is their new concept car: an autonomous luxury sedan called NEXO FCEV that uses hydrogen power to achieve 600 miles of range on one tank (if you'll recall from science class: a gallon of gasoline contains roughly 33 kilowatt hours). In terms of design, it looks like something out of Star Wars (which makes sense because the company has partnered with Lucasfilm).
Another example would be the Veloster N which was designed by former Ford designer Peter Schreyer before he became chief designer at Volkswagen Group Design Center Europe GmbH (more commonly known as Volkswagen or VW). It's sleek, sporty and fun to drive while still maintaining excellent fuel efficiency; so much so that they've built multiple variations on this theme including SX-L & Aero models which have even more power!
Hyundai’s new 2019 Santa Fe SUV will have what it calls “driver talk" and “quiet mode" so that parents can listen to or mute their children in the back seat.
It’s not quite a self-driving car, but Hyundai has a new feature that might make driving with kids more bearable for parents. The automaker is introducing driver talk and quiet mode on its 2019 Santa Fe SUV, which allows the driver to select between listening to their child or muting them. This way, if you want to ignore your kids (or vice versa), you won’t have to hear them anymore. It will also be available on other Hyundai vehicles in the future.
Some features already on other brands cars will soon be in Hyundai’s like remote parking assist, which allows drivers to park or retrieve vehicles without being inside them by using buttons on a smartphone app.
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Remote parking assist: The feature, which allows drivers to park or retrieve vehicles without being inside them, is already available on other brands. Hyundai is expected to offer it soon.
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Head-up display: This technology projects vehicle speed and other information onto a driver’s windshield so they don’t have to take their eyes off the road, making it easier for drivers to drive under adverse conditions such as rain or fog. It's also possible that the feature could be used for navigation directions and turn-by-turn driving instructions.
Other features may be more of a stretch like technology that would allow drivers to communicate with pedestrians through the windshield glass. And then there is its Elevate concept, which would allow an electric all-wheel drive SUV chassis to walk like a spider, allowing it to climb over rocks and debris and other obstacles. The vehicle could approach 4 mph on land and 10 mph in water.
One feature may be more of a stretch, like technology that would allow drivers to communicate with pedestrians through the windshield glass. And then there is its Elevate concept, which would allow an electric all-wheel drive SUV chassis to walk like a spider, allowing it to climb over rocks and debris and other obstacles. The vehicle could approach 4 mph on land and 10 mph in water.
Hyundai is one of several companies spending big money in search of the coolest tech for our cars of the future, because there may be no higher goal for auto designers as they look for that next killer feature that can sway buyers from one brand to another.
Hyundai is one of several companies spending big money in search of the coolest tech for our cars of the future, because there may be no higher goal for auto designers as they look for that next killer feature that can sway buyers from one brand to another.
Hyundai’s plan is to use augmented reality, or AR, on its new Genesis luxury sedan and future models. The idea is to overlay information onto your windshield that helps you know where things are and what they are without having to take your eyes off the road ahead (see illustration). This could include directions, speed limit information and even warnings about pedestrians or other vehicles nearby.
Conclusion
Hyundai has a long way to go before its cars are considered cool. But if it can deliver on these prototypes, then maybe someday we'll see one of its vehicles parked outside your house.
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