CES 2019: Hyundai Elevate is Ready for Search and Rescue Mission
Natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods could lead into a catastrophic outcome. Roads might not be passable to vehicles which could hinder and prevent authorities to accomplish its rescue mission. However, Hyundai wants to change that notion as it builds a machine that intends to rise above every roadblock. The Korean automaker said that its machine can conquer any terrain and change the way we perceive rescue vehicles.
Meet the Hyundai Elevate concept, a machine that’s ready for search and rescue missions. Elevate, or a.k.a. Walking Car, is the first Ultimate Mobility Vehicle (UMV), according to Hyundai. It combines the technology integrated in electric cars and robots—welcome to the future.
“When a tsunami or earthquake hits, current rescue vehicles can only deliver first responders to the edge of the debris field. They have to go the rest of the way by foot. Elevate can drive to the scene and climb right over flood debris or crumbled concrete,” Hyundai vice president and head of Hyundai CRADLE John Suh said.
Elevate has the capability to switch into different forms. The Korean automaker shared that the robotic leg has “five degrees of freedom” that is enabled by electric actuator technology. Hyundai added that Elevate’s legs can move in any direction and it can climb a five-foot vertical wall while keeping its body and passengers completely level. The legs can also fold when the user switch to drive mode. As such, Elevate transforms into a more normal looking machine that resembles a vehicle.
Hyundai’s Elevate concept presents several possibilities on how search and rescue vehicles can evolve into an even more efficient machine. The characteristics integrated to the Elevate concept sounds promising and could be of big help should the situation arise. How about you? What do you think about this machine?
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