MobED, here’s what Hyundai calls its latest robotics experiment

It is called MobED (Mobile Eccentric Droid), the brand new mobility platform for versatile applications which Hyundai will officially unveil at the next CES in Las Vegas.

With its adjustable wheelbase and variable steering angle of its wheels, the MobED is Hyundai’s electric “vehicle” that can be used in a variety of fields. Its flat, rectangular body travels on four large wheels, with an independent suspension that allows for optimal body posture and stable movement even on inclined and uneven roads. This suspension allows the platform to move through complex urban environments by freely adjusting its wheelbase and steering angles.

“We have developed the MobED platform to overcome the limitations of current indoor driving and service robots, while maximizing its usability in cities and significantly improving the overall mobility of the platform,” said Dong Jin Hyun, Head of Hyundai. Motor Group Robotics Lab. “We are also looking forward to assess how potential MobED users will further expand their needs and use of this type of technology.”

Hyundai MobED, various uses possible

MobED can also be equipped with autonomous driving capability and is not constrained by its size – it could be imagined like a domestic robot moving around a house (even climbing stairs) as well as an urban, suburban vehicle, a stroller that climbs on hard ground, or even a travel aid for people with reduced mobility.

Incidentally, the name comes from the innovative eccentric wheel design – three electric motors per wheel on traction, steering and ground clearance. Since all wheels can be steered and driven independently, Hyundai MobED it can travel, turn, ascend or descend in any direction.

In its current form, the structure it is 67 cm long, 60 cm wide, 33 cm high and weighs 50 kg. The wheelbase varies from 45 to 65 centimeters, depending on whether stability or agility is required. The maximum speed is 30 km / h, with a 2 kWh battery that guarantees 4 hours of operation. The official world premiere of MobED, as mentioned, will take place at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, scheduled from 5 to 8 January. And we will be there.