Hyundai Motor Group unveiled the transforming intelligent ground mobility robot 'Tiger' for the first time on the 10th.[Photo by Hyundai Motor Group]
[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] Hyundai Motor Group has embarked on developing future mobility that transcends the limits of movement by combining mobility and robotics technologies.
On the 10th, Hyundai Motor Group unveiled for the first time the transforming intelligent ground excursion robot 'TIGER (Transforming Intelligent Ground Excursion Robot)'.
Previously, Hyundai Motor Group’s future mobility organization 'New Horizons Studio' introduced the walking mobility 'Elevate' at CES 2019, the world's largest IT and electronics exhibition. The TIGER revealed this time features a modular platform structure similar to Elevate. The first concept model of TIGER unveiled is named 'X-1', where 'X' stands for 'Experimental'.
TIGER is a compact unmanned mobility device approximately 80cm in length, 40cm in width, and weighing about 12kg, equipped with four legs and wheels. It combines intelligent robot technology and wheels to freely navigate even rugged terrains that high-performance off-road vehicles cannot access.
The body of TIGER is designed for multipurpose missions difficult for conventional vehicles, such as ▲scientific exploration and research using various sensors ▲emergency supply transport during rescue operations ▲delivery of goods to remote areas. It has a symmetrical structure that allows easy direction changes not only forward and backward but also sideways. When encountering obstacles or terrains difficult to traverse with wheels, it uses the walking ability of its robotic legs, and on flat terrain, it transforms into a four-wheel-drive vehicle to drive at speed.
Additionally, the interior of the body includes a separate cargo compartment to enhance item protection, and the robotic legs maintain a constant horizontal posture, enabling safe transport of goods even on irregular surfaces such as rough roads and polar regions.
New Horizons Studio collaborated closely with leading companies in AI-based engineering design, such as Autodesk, and concept design specialist Sundberg-Ferar, to develop TIGER through an open innovation approach.
With Autodesk, they cooperated on design aspects using AI-based 'Generative Design' technology to enable lightweight and robust 3D printing manufacturing of TIGER’s legs, wheels, chassis, and tires. Sundberg-Ferar participated in external styling, body, chassis, leg component design, and software development. Generative Design refers to a method that quickly proposes hundreds or thousands of optimized designs based on conditions and definitions set by the designer.
Hyundai Motor Group plans to continue exploring new possibilities for future mobility from various angles through collaboration with innovative companies worldwide, centered on New Horizons Studio. John Suh, Executive Director of Hyundai Motor Group’s New Horizons Studio, stated, "Future mobility like TIGER and the underlying new technologies provide the driving force for our imagination to move in new directions," adding, "At New Horizons Studio, we are constantly seeking ways to redefine vehicle design, manufacturing methods, and the concept of future mobility."
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