The world is moving faster than we can even think. Constant innovations are opening newer visions that we have never imagined. Even car manufacturers are finding new ways to rethink vehicle design and development to redefine the future of transportation and mobility. The recent launch of Hyundai’s first uncrewed Ultimate Mobility Vehicle (UMV) concept, “TIGER,” is something that stands in the front line of innovation and revolution.
TIGER is the abbreviation of Transforming Intelligent Ground Excursion Robot. It is a transforming intelligent ground excursion robot that has been designed to operate as a four-wheel-drive vehicle or a four-legged walking machine. Hyundai Motor Group’s New Horizons Studio, in partnership with Autodesk and Sundberg-Ferar, has developed this vehicle to transport innumerable payloads by traveling through remote and inaccessible territories. Dr. John Suh, Head of New Horizons Studio, shares that they are “constantly looking at ways to rethink vehicle design and development and redefine the future of transportation and mobility.”
TIGER is a concept vehicle that will play an important role in mobile scientific exploration platforms in extreme and remote locations. It is featured with a leg and wheel locomotion system with 360-degree direction control. For remote observation, it comprises a range of sensors. It can connect to Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to charge and deliver TIGER into inaccessible locations.
As this vehicle has both leg and wheel articulation, it is capable to carry bigger loads and deliver in emergencies. The legs are retracted so TIGER can drive as an all-wheel-drive vehicle, but when stuck, it can use its walking ability to travel over terrains seamlessly. This feature was first seen in Hyundai’s previous innovation, “Elevate,” back in 2019, which could carry passengers. With the elevated design of Elevate, the TIGER can traverse terrain beyond limitations that turn out to have more capability to be an off-road vehicle. Another good example of this is the “Cradle” concept vehicle, which could work for regular transportation and commercial or rescue operations.
TIGER X-1 is the first version of the elementary level that brings a wide range of technological design and expertise together for global development. The X in the name stands for experimental. TIGER X-1 has been built with the reproductive capabilities of Autodesk’s leading engineering design software company, paired with Hyundai for its outstanding R&D compatibility in mobility.
Srinath Jonnalagadda, Vice President of Business Strategy for Design and Manufacturing at Autodesk, expressed her enthusiasm to work with Hyundai on the TIGER X-1. She said that this will use “advanced technology such as generative design to push the boundaries of increasing strength while reducing weight in transportation, is exactly what we mean when we talk about creating the new possibilities.”
The team also collaborated with Sundberg-Ferar to enhance the external concept design in an incredibly strong and lightweight structure with legs and chassis elements with a composition of carbon fiber. The goal of this concept vehicle is to deliver and salvage critical payloads across rugged terrain or to reach the areas struck by natural disasters.
The 360-degree surface evolution of TIGER is also able to explore the surface of any planet in space. Manager of Design and Innovation Strategy at Sundberg-Ferar, David Byron, said that the team was “looking to create a robot that maximized the efficiency of wheeled motion with the articulation of a quadruped to expand the possibility of reaching more remote locations.”
Innovative design, engineering, and manufacturing techniques have been utilized in TIGER to deal with challenging situations more efficiently. It is a modular platform that partakes in multiple unique applications that may not be suitable for humans. Surely, TIGER is going to play a significant role in the future to modernize and amplify the working process to make a better and safer world for everyone.
Youtube: TIGER: Hyundai’s Concept Vehicle for Remote Places
Photo credit: The images used are owned by Hyundai Motor Group and have been provided for press usage.
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