- Mobile eccentric droid goes into production
- It is designed for indoor and rugged outdoor use.
- Hyundai promises car quality technology
No, she’s not the star of Disney’s latest animated film: Hyundai has announced a fully autonomous robotic platform that can be developed for almost any use and could be the answer to many mobility problems.
The Mobile Eccentric Droid (or MobED for short) has a unique eccentric control mechanism that allows all four wheels to rotate and move, blurring the boundaries of the wheels and legs. He can even spin on a wheel and swing, like a trained dog.
Hyundai says that far from being a gimmick, the mechanism is stabilized by dynamically adjusting its position, allowing it to effectively overcome small bumps and even climb a step.
What you post on this platform is entirely up to you, as MobED is designed to perform a variety of tasks.
If you equip it with a robotic arm, it can move through a warehouse and pick and pack products independently.
Alternatively, it can be used to autonomously deliver packages, act as a golf cart to transport golf clubs around a golf course, transform into an automated cart that allows influencers to capture content hands-free, and even be equipped with a touch screen to become a true robotic assistant.
Hyundai says the platform will be made from automotive-grade materials and built on a production line so it can be expanded. The company also developed the control interface so that it can be flown like a drone and developed software that allows users to automate operations.
The company is getting serious about the future of its mobile droid, saying it will sell a MobED Pro model, complete with sensors and lidar for autonomous use, as well as a basic version that will serve as a “foundation for research and development.”
The future is robots.
There’s currently no word on pricing or whether regular customers will be able to purchase a MobED to use as a cool electric scooter, but the company is taking the future of robotics seriously.
I personally visited CRADLE in Los Angeles, Hyundai’s center for robotic design in life experiences, and saw first-hand work on “walking cars,” which are considered the utility vehicles of the future.
This concept, called “Elevate,” consists of a frame mounted on four robotic legs, each with a traditional wheel at the end. These concepts make it possible to overcome difficult terrain, but can also adapt to the needs of users approaching the front door of a person in a wheelchair.
While MobED isn’t exactly a moving car, the idea isn’t that far-fetched: it aims to provide a stable platform that can easily and autonomously navigate difficult terrain without falling over, like the countless humanoid robots that make the rounds on YouTube.
It is unclear what will be put into MobED, but I am willing to bet that they will be used in factories and warehouses very soon. I’m waiting for the standalone version of the eScooter so I can finally put the bike away.