Kim Hyun-bin began his journalism career at Arirang TV from 2012 to 2017, specializing in defense, foreign affairs and the economy. In 2018, he joined The Korea Times, covering society and business, and is currently responsible for embassy affairs.
Hyundai Motor Group reveals the Mobile Eccentric Droid
Hyundai Motor Group's Mobile Eccentric Droid (MobED) / Courtesy of Hyundai Motor Group
By Kim Hyun-bin
By Kim Hyun-bin
Hyundai Motor Group revealed the Mobile Eccentric Droid (MobED), an all-new and pioneering, small mobility platform using cutting-edge robotics technologies, Thursday.
The MobED has an innovative design. Its flat, rectangular body rides on four large wheels, with independent suspension that enables optimal body posture and stable movement, even on inclined and uneven roads. This suspension system allows the platform to move through complex urban environments by freely adjusting its wheelbase and directional maneuvering.
“We have developed the MobED platform to overcome the limitations of existing indoor guide and service robots, while maximizing usability in cities by dramatically improving the platform's overall mobility,” said Dong Jin-hyun, head of Hyundai Motor Group's robotics lab. “We are also looking ahead to assess how potential users of MobED will further expand their needs and use for this type of technology.”
Equipped with innovative technologies, including the advanced “Eccentric Wheel” drive, along with high-tech steering, braking and level control systems, the MobED adapts and realizes optimum posture on various road surfaces and environments. The three motors mounted to each wheel provide power and precision steering while also controlling the overall position of the body.
The intelligent design arrangement of each wheel, featuring an individual power and steering control system, enables in-place rotation and omnidirectional movement, which allows for highly effective mobility, even in narrow environments. The eccentric mechanism-based posture control system also stabilizes the level of the base platform by adjusting the height of each wheel according to the ground environment. The MobED's 12-inch pneumatic tires further help to absorb bumps and vibrations.
MobED's dimensions are 67 cm long, 60 cm wide, by 33 cm high, and it weighs 50 kg. Its wheelbase expands to 65 cm for optimum stability in high-speed motion and then scales down to 45 cm for low-speed maneuvers in more complex environments. Its maximum speed is 30 km/h, and its battery capacity of 2 kWh allows for around four hours of use on a single charge.
Hyundai Motor Group will present its future vision for robotics at Consumer Electronics Show 2022, from January 5 to January 8, 2022. The MobED will be on display at Hyundai Motor's booth.