Hyundai Mobis a global automotive supplier has unveiled the ‘Mobion’ electric vehicle (EV), equipped with the next-generation ‘e-corner system’ motion technology, for the first time at CES 2024.
The Mobion demonstrates innovative capabilities that reimagines movement never seen before in a vehicle, including lateral and diagonal motion, as well as stationary pivot turns.
“The Mobion represents the embodiment of Hyundai Mobis’ core technologies, all of which are ready for immediate mass production,” said Lee Seung-Hwan, Vice President and the Head of Advanced Engineering at Hyundai Mobis.
To enable sideways movement, diagonal driving, and pivot turns, Mobion’s four wheels are individually controlled. The e-corner system, responsible for translating these dynamic movements into reality, comprises four key technologies. At its core is the ‘In-Wheel’ technology, which propels the EV forward.
Lee Young-kook, VP, Head of Electrification Lab at Hyundai Mobis said, “In-wheel technology involves placing four small motors inside each wheel, as opposed to the single large driving motor commonly used in EVs. This configuration enables each wheel to generate its own power independently.”
The company has developed the e-corner system by seamlessly integrating braking, steering, and suspension functions into the in-wheel. Mobis claims it has successfully secured advanced control technology that harmonises each of these functions. In a global first, the company conducted successful on-road tests of the system’s driving capabilities in 2023.
Beyond its e-corner system, Mobion also demonstrates its autonomous driving sensor and lamp technologies. As part of Mobion’s design, three light detection and ranging (LiDAR) devices have been incorporated as autonomous driving sensors. Two short-distance LiDARS are positioned near the left and right headlamps, complemented by a single long-distance LiDAR installed at the centre of the front of the vehicle. This configuration proves particularly valuable for lateral movement and effectively recognising nearby objects, especially during manoeuvres such as changing lanes diagonally.
Mobis has also introduced a new ‘Exterior Lighting’ lamp along with various display functions. With the assistance of a short-distance LiDAR capable of recognising pedestrians, valuable information is conveyed through the LED. For instance, when the vehicle is at an intersection, the LED displays the direction in which a pedestrian is crossing the street. Additionally, the rear bumper can alert drivers against changing lanes or passing, signalling that a pedestrian is crossing either to the left or right.
In addition, a new ‘Ground Projection’ feature complements the e-corner system’s movement capabilities by providing the vehicle’s direction of travel. For instance, during diagonal or lateral movement, Ground Projection can illuminate the vehicle’s direction on the ground, utilising lights across a 360deg spectrum. Mobion can even leverage Ground Projection to generate crosswalk stripes for pedestrians to use when they are detected.
