Hyundai's vision of the future of robotics will further expand the human mobility experience and realize the ultimate freedom of mobility through "Metamobility," a combination of robotics and the Metaverse. As a medium that transcends human limitations, robots will be empowered with a new concept of mobility that extends to the mobility of everything, further blurring the boundaries between the virtual and real worlds.
At 7:00 a.m. (Beijing time) on January 5, Hyundai Motor presented its "Expanding the Mobility Experience" at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2022) at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. "Expanding Human Reach" as the theme, released a vision of future robotics.
Hyundai Motor unveiled its vision of future robotics at CES 2022
Hyundai Motor's vision of robotics specifically includes " Metamobility", which innovates and expands the user's mobility experience. Metamobility" is an innovative approach to expanding the mobility experience of users, "Mobility of Things (MoT)" is an ecosystem that gives mobility to things, and "Intelligent Robot" is a human-oriented approach, etc. In particular, "Metamobility" is an ecosystem that gives mobility to things, and "Intelligent Robot" is a human-oriented approach. In particular, "Metamobility" means that smart devices will be connected to the Metaverse platform, which will extend the scope of human mobility to the virtual world, enabling users to realize a whole new dimension of mobility experience. When the virtual world is connected to the real world through robots, users can also feel as if they were there.
Hyundai believes that in this process, the application of artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous driving and other innovative technologies will break the boundaries of the future of mobile mobility, cars, UAM (Urban Air Mobility) and other modes of mobile mobility will become intelligent devices connected to the Metaverse (Metaverse) platform.
Hyundai launches PnD and DnL modules aimed at giving mobility to everything through robotics
The "Mobility of Things (MoT)" ecosystem is aimed at giving mobility to everything through robotics, and Hyundai has launched plug-and-play modules to realize this goal.
To realize this goal, Hyundai Motor has launched the Plug & Drive Module (hereinafter referred to as PnD Module), Drive & Lift Module (hereinafter referred to as DnL Module), and so on.
"Intelligent robots" are robotic technologies that have the ability to sense and interact with humans and the external environment, as represented by Boston Dynamics' Spot quadrupedal robot and Atlas bipedal robot. Hyundai is actively developing a variety of wearable robotics technologies that can help humans overcome their limitations.
Photo of Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, Mr. Jung Eui-seon, and President of Boston Dynamics, Mr. Marc Raibert
"Robotics is no longer a distant dream but a reality, and Hyundai hopes to achieve greatness through robotics." President Jung Eui-seon emphasized, "Based on robotics, Hyundai Motor is expanding its future mobility solutions to 'Metamobility', for which we will continue to take on unlimited challenges, and Hyundai Motor's vision of robotics will enable human beings to realize unrestricted mobility ."
Chairman Jung Eui-seon emphasized that Hyundai Motor's vision of robotics will enable human mobility without limitations
"Metamobility" utilizes smart devices to realize a whole new dimension of mobility. A new dimension of mobility experience can be realized
Hyundai expects a new Metaverse platform to emerge in the future that goes beyond the concept of virtual worlds built on the existing Internet and eliminates the distinction between reality and the virtual world. Due to technological limitations, the user experience, which was once limited to the virtual world, will be connected to the real world through smart devices, allowing users to move freely between the virtual and real worlds, realizing the ultimate mobility experience in the world of "Metamobility.
Mobility modes such as automobiles and UAM (Urban Air Mobility) will be the connecting point between the two worlds, and robotics in particular is expected to be the medium for connecting the two areas. For example, by transforming the car into a smart device that can connect to the virtual world, the user can enter the virtual world as if it were reality to realize a variety of in-car experience. Depending on the user's needs, the car can become an entertainment space, an office meeting room, or even a platform for enjoying 3D video games. It can also connect the virtual and real worlds through a digital twin.
When users enter the virtual home built in the Metaverse, they can interact with real robots without being constrained by physicality, feed their pets, cuddle, and take a walk together. Users can enjoy the experience as if they were there by synchronizing with reality. At the same time, by building a digital twin factory identical to the real one in the Metaverse, all machines and equipment, including robots, are tightly connected, realizing a Smart Factory in which users can enter the virtual world to operate and manage a real factory.
With Smart Factory, users can quickly identify and solve problems, even remotely without visiting the factory. Even if a problem arises at an overseas factory, the robot will immediately execute it as soon as the domestic user logs into the overseas factory embodied in the digital twin, views the site in real time and gives instructions. Hyundai is studying options to realize this smart factory concept through collaboration with various partners such as Microsoft.
Users can solve problems remotely through the smart factory without visiting the factory on site
Hyundai expects that in the future, as the technology develops, it will be possible for users to directly enjoy the robot's proxy experience (Proxy Experience). In this stage, the robot collected smell, touch and other sensory data will be directly transmitted to the user, so that the user can feel as if they were in the real scene like immersion and satisfaction.
Hyundai expects that this robot-mediated experience will bring great changes not only to our daily lives, but also to the way we work and even to the industry as a whole, and the role of robotics will gradually increase in this process. Hyundai plans to continue to develop robotics to realize the new vision of the future presented by "Metamobility".
Building an ecosystem where everything can move freely with robotics
Hyundai plans to introduce advanced robotics technology to enable objects to move freely regardless of their size or shape. This will lead to the realization of a "Mobility of Things (MoT)" ecosystem in which all objects are given mobility.
Hyundai can build an ecosystem where everything can move freely with robotics
The PnD module, which was first unveiled at CES 2022, is a mobile device that combines wheel motors, steering, suspension, braking system and environmental sensors. It is based on LIDAR and camera sensors that enable intelligent steering, driving, braking, and especially features continuous 360° rotation and free movement.The PnD Module can be attached to any object to give it mobility, from small tables to large containers, and there is no range limitation. In addition, it has the advantage of being freely adjustable in size and number. Users can reconfigure a particular space as needed, and the space can come to the user on its own, even if the user is not accessing it.
Hyundai's PnD module, which was first disclosed at CES 2022, features continuous 360° rotation and freedom of movement
Hyundai believes that the PnD module, while redefining the mobility of objects and innovating the traditional concept of space in the form of a PBV (Purpose Built Vehicle), will play an important role in achieving The PBV (Personalized Built Vehicle) will be widely used in the realization of the last mile of personal mobility as well as in logistics mobility such as logistics and transportation.
At this year's show, Hyundai Motor also introduced a new concept of compact mobility platform "MobED (Mobile Eccentric Droid)" that applies DnL modules. In the DnL module, each wheel operates independently, and a motor mounted on each wheel adjusts the body height to ensure the desired inclination. The flat, rectangular body is fitted with four eccentric wheels based on the DnL module to keep the body level on uneven surfaces, stairs and ramps, and it also has the advantage that the wheelbase and steering angle can be freely adjusted.
Hyundai Motor unveiled a new concept of compact mobility platform "MobED (Mobile Eccentric Droid)" applying the DnL module
Hyundai Motor believes that innovative robotics technologies such as the PnD module and the DnL module will contribute to the realization of the "MoT". "MoT" ecosystem, and plans to continue to develop a variety of new concepts in robotics.
Overcoming Human Limitations Robotics to Interact with the External Environment
Hyundai also notes that robotics can overcome human limitations to interact with the external environment, and is introducing this technology at CES 2022.
Robotics are advancing at a rapid pace as artificial intelligence technology matures, with highly perceptive robots such as Spot, a quadrupedal robot from Boston Dynamics, and Atlas, a bipedal robot, able to do dynamic movements such as walking up and down stairs, and maintaining balance.
Boston Dynamics' bipedal robot Atlas
A service robot, Spot is equipped with a variety of sensors and cameras and can perform a variety of tasks in place of humans. It can perform tasks in extreme conditions such as high temperatures and extreme cold, or in hazardous areas that are difficult for humans to access, such as natural disaster areas and radioactively contaminated areas. Atlas, a humanoid robot with a form and movements most similar to those of humans, and Stretch, a logistics robot used for rapid handling of logistics sorting, will also be widely utilized and are expected to provide more convenience for humans.
Hyundai is working closely with various partners in order to make robots available in more fields, especially to play a role in exploring cosmic space or other planets.
Spot, a service robot, is equipped with various sensors and cameras and can do dynamic movements such as going up and down stairs, and maintain balance
Hyundai also said wearable robots such as VEX (undershirt exoskeleton) can help people with physical disabilities and improve human capabilities. Wearable robotics is characterized by its direct application to the human body, and if this technology becomes widespread, humans could easily lift heavy objects and reduce their reliance on wheelchairs and walkers. When applied to industrial sites, it is expected to greatly increase efficiency and productivity, reduce the likelihood of worker injury and fatigue, and improve convenience in daily life for those with mobility impairments.
Various exhibition and experiential spaces under the theme of "Future Robot Outlook"
At CES 2022, Hyundai will prepare 13,225 sq. ft. "Future Robotics Outlook," the theme of the exhibit.
In the "reality space," there are four conceptual models based on PnD modules, including Personal Mobility, Service Mobility, Logistic Mobili