Hyundai MobeD, new mobility platform can elevate its wheels to navigate uneven surfaces

Hyundai launched Mobile Eccentric Droid (MobED), a small car platform that can be used in various fields.

The MobED consists of a flat rectangular platform on which various tools can be placed, and four large 12-inch wheels. It also features independent suspension that allows for different postures, allowing the platform to remain stable on uneven terrain.

Hyundai expects the MobED to be useful for delivery and piloting, while its gimble-like stability could come in handy for film crews. At 67 cm long, 60 cm wide and 33 cm high, the MobED is large enough to accommodate a 2 kWh battery and weighs 50 kg.

Its ability to adapt to the terrain, also means that its wheelbase can be expanded from 45 cm to 65 cm. With the wheels fully extended, the MobED which relies on three electric motors can go at a speed of 30 km/h.

“We have developed the MobED platform to overcome the limitations of existing indoor guides and service robots while maximizing their usefulness in cities by dramatically increasing the overall mobility of the platform,” said Dong Jin Hyun, Head of Robotics Lab at Hyundai Motor Group.

The South Korean automaker promises hours of use on a single charge and says its pneumatic tires allow for better damping of bumps.

Reportedly, MobED will be shown to the public at CES 2022, which will take place January 5-8, 2022 in Las Vegas.