Looking into the future can be curious and confusing: Is it still a car or already a moon rover? Or even a nimble robot? In any case, Korean car manufacturer Hyundai is fundamentally rethinking the concept of ‘car’ with vehicles that come along on four legs and actually can do what SUVs only promise: go far, far, far off-road. Up to now, the spindly concept cars Elevate Walking Car and Transforming Intelligent Ground Excursion Robot have only been shown at shows, but now the car manufacturer wants to launch a whole new vehicle class. Its name: Ultimate Mobility Vehicle (UMV).
No matter how rough the terrain is, the walking cars have to make progress. Rocks, fords, nasty ruts. No obstacles for the all-purpose UMV. After all, even if the vehicle does not resemble a conventional vehicle, its “feet” are still four wheels. However, they are attached to almost freely movable robot legs with various joints. Wheel hub motors drive each wheel, which further enhances the scrambling capabilities. Climbing, walking or driving, with a UMV you are spoiled for choice. Passengers are enthroned in a spacious glass cabin reminiscent of modern cable cars.
