Hyundai’s new electric vehicle can ‘crab’ drive sideways

Attendees at the exhibition had the opportunity to witness the MOBION's unique movements, including lateral and diagonal motion, and stationary pivot turns.

Vice President Lee Seung-Hwan, the Head of Advanced Engineering at Hyundai Mobis, stated: "The MOBION represents the embodiment of Hyundai Mobis’ core technologies, all of which are ready for immediate mass production. Always striving to shift the mobility paradigm with vehicles, Mobis created MOBION to showcase our key products and capabilities."

MOBION's distinct capability for sideways movement, diagonal driving, and pivot turns is enabled by the individual control of its four wheels. The e-Corner System is pivotal in actualising these movements, integrating four critical technologies, including the 'In-Wheel' technology, which propels the EV.

“In-Wheel technology involves placing four small motors inside each wheel, as opposed to the single large driving motor commonly used in EVs,” explained Vice President Lee Young-kook, the Head of Electrification Lab. “This configuration enables each wheel to generate its own power independently.”

The e-Corner System was developed by integrating braking, steering, and suspension functions into the In-Wheel, with Mobis mastering advanced control technology for harmonising these functions. In 2023, Mobis conducted the first successful on-road tests of the system's driving capabilities, marking a global milestone.

At CES, MOBION also drew attention with its autonomous driving sensor and lamp technologies. The design includes three lidar devices, with two short-distance lidars near the headlamps and a long-distance lidar at the front. This arrangement aids in lateral movement and object recognition, especially during diagonal lane changes.

Another innovation by Mobis is the ‘Exterior Lighting’ lamp, offering safety and design benefits. For instance, an LED on the front bumper, aided by a short-distance lidar, provides pedestrian-related information. When at an intersection, the LED indicates the direction of pedestrian crossing. The rear bumper can signal if a pedestrian is crossing, thus alerting drivers against lane changes, or overtaking.

Additionally, MOBION's ‘Ground Projection’ feature at CES further complements the e-Corner System. It projects the vehicle’s travel direction on the ground, useful during diagonal or lateral movements. This feature can even create crosswalk stripes when pedestrians are detected.

The name ‘MOBION’ merges ‘Mobis’ and the English word ‘on’, reflecting Mobis' dedication to leading the electrification of passenger vehicles. By showcasing a fully functional demonstration car at CES, rather than just a concept, Mobis demonstrates its confidence in MOBION's technologies, emphasising their practicality and real-world relevance.