Hyundai Mobis unveils two concept vehicles with 90-degree rotation wheels

KUALA LUMPUR: The 2022 CES event was recently concluded at the Lag Vegas that introduced us to some amazing car concepts, for instance, a couple of small mobility concept vehicles with a unique feature of 90-degree rotation wheels. These models were shown by Hyundai Mobis, which is Hyundai's part supplier company.

The first concept is an electric vehicle called the M.Vision Pop, while the other is a hydrogen fuel cell concept named the M.Vision 2GO. The vehicles are equipped with 90-degree rotation wheels that let them move sideways or rotate without moving forward or backward. This makes tight turning, and parking in tight spaces easier with the help of the ‘E-Corner’ module system originally developed in 2018.

Hyundai Mobis has been rigorously working on this system that combines the steering, suspension, braking, and driving ability into the wheel, which eliminates the requirement for any mechanical connection between parts. It expects to get this system installed on a working skateboard chassis by 2023.

Besides these innovative wheels, these small mobility concepts get advanced Level 4 autonomous driving technology meant for car-sharing applications. They have a compact, boxy look and feature a folding steering wheel, communication lighting systems, and cargo storage.

“The vehicle technologies we are demonstrating at CES will help our OEM and technology partners achieve their future mobility goals, and it’s an honour to play a key role in that process," said  Jin-ho Park, Hyundai Mobis Vice President of Communication.

During the event, the parent company Hyundai also unveiled its innovations, including the Plug & Drive (PnD) modular platform. It is a mobility solution that is designed to keep objects in motion and integrates extensive technologies like intelligent steering, electric wheel hub motor to do so.

“The PnD Module is adaptive and expandable to match human needs. Because in the world to come, you won’t move your things — they will move around you. PnD makes normally inanimate objects mobile. It’s this ability that makes changing practically any space possible. It’s a way to configure spaces on-demand,” says Dong Jin Hyun, Vice President and Head of Hyundai Motor Group Robotics Lab.

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