Hyundai robotic modular platform allows ‘unlimited mobility of things’

At the recently held Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2022, Hyundai unveiled its Plug & Drive (PnD) modular platform that enables mobility of traditionally inanimate things, from small objects to large community spaces.

“We are directing all our robotics engineering and creative efforts toward building the unlimited Mobility of Things ecosystem. The goal is for robotics to enable all kinds of personal mobility, connected to communicate, move and perform tasks autonomously,” said Hyundai Motor Group Vice President and Robotics Lab Head Dong Jin Hyun.

During the tech event, Hyundai and Boston Dynamics presented a shared vision for robotics — in both the real world and metaverse — under the main theme of “Expanding Human Reach” using the PnD modular platform.

The PnD modular platform is an all-in-one mobility solution that combines intelligent steering, braking, in-wheel electric drive, and suspension hardware. It is equipped with a single wheel that allows infinite wheel rotation, 360-degree rotation, and holonomic movement — pretty much like a figure skater. In addition, LiDAR and camera sensors allow a PnD-enabled object to move autonomously.

A short clip from Hyundai’s YouTube channel shows how the PnD modular platform can move things beyond imagination. Watch it here.

PnD modules can be attached to anything from tables to containers for expandable mobility. Users can select various drive configurations and platform sizes based on their requirements.

“The PnD module is adaptive and expandable to match human needs. Because in the world to come, you won’t move your things — they will move around you. PnD makes normally inanimate objects mobile. It’s this ability that makes changing practically any space possible. It’s a way to configure spaces on-demand,” Hyun added.

At CES 2022, Hyundai cited examples where the PnD modular platform can be used, like Personal Mobility, Service Mobility, Logistics Mobility, and L7 — all of which fit into an unlimited Mobility of Things (MoT) ecosystem.

Photos from Hyundai

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