As years goes by, a lot of advancement and discoveries are made in the world of technology. Old technologies keep improving and new ones are born continually. Hyundai which is a South Korean automaker has unveiled a design for a vehicle with robotics legs at this year’s CED tech expo in Las Vegas.
The Hyundai automobile company claims the vehicle is the future of the first responder industry and has “limitless’ possibilities. They claim it would be able to move in any direction and climb a 5ft vertical wall.
This car design unveiled by Hyundai is named Elevate and it comes with complete robotic legs.
The vehicle is designed to be used at natural disaster sites which will enable users to drive, walk, or climb over the most treacherous terrain.
The design is currently in the early concept stages, and there is no official timeline for its commercial roll-out.
Hyundai has been working in partnership with Detroit firm Sundberg-Ferar on the concept for almost three years. Elevate would be the first Ultimate Mobility Vehicle with moveable legs, and the first to combine technology found in both electric cars and robots.
Capable of “both mammalian and reptilian walking gaits,” the vehicle can climb walls, step over large gaps and move in any direction – all while keeping its passengers level. Its legs are also retractable, providing a regular driving mode that reduces energy use and allows Elevate to be operated as a normal car.
John Suh, vice president and head of Hyundai Cradle, added that current rescue vehicles were only able to deliver first responders to the edge of a debris field, whereas Elevate can drive to the scene and climb right over flood debris or crumbled concrete.
” (But) this technology goes well beyond emergency situations,” he said. “People living with disabilities worldwide … could hail an autonomous Hyundai Elevate that could walk up to their front door, level itself, and allow their wheelchair to roll right in. The possibilities are limitless.”