If you believe forward and reverse are boring, you’re in luck as Hyundai Mobis has unveiled the new Mobion concept at CES. Based on the Hyundai Ioniq 5, the Mobion features a unique design with new bumpers and lighting units. The latter can be used to convey information to pedestrians and other drivers. As an example, the company said the rear lights can alert other road users to the presence of a pedestrian in a crosswalk even if they can’t see them. The concept also sports a new ground projection system, which can “illuminate the vehicle’s direction on the ground, utilizing lights across a 360-degree spectrum.” The system can even project crosswalk stripes to show pedestrians where to walk.
While the lights are interesting, the real
purpose of the concept is to showcase the next-generation e-Corner System.
Hyundai Mobis didn’t go into detail, but the system combines an electric motor
with steering, braking, and suspension functions. This enables each wheel to
act independently of the others. It’s also worth noting the wheels can rotate
and this allows the concept to pivot as well as drive diagonally and sideways.
The model can also do a 360 degree spin.
Last but not least, the concept has been
equipped with two short-distance lidar sensors that are positioned near the
headlights. They’re joined by a long-distance lidar sensor that is apparently
installed in the front fascia. Hyundai Mobis says this “configuration proves
particularly valuable for lateral movement and effectively recognizing nearby
objects, especially during maneuvers such as changing lanes diagonally.”
In a statement, Hyundai Mobis Vice
President Lee Seung-Hwan said the Mobion concept “represents the embodiment” of
their “core technologies, all of which are ready for immediate mass
production.”
