Hyundai And Kia Are Building A Moon Robot

Hyundai and Kia’s partnership is noteworthy, but it is not the first endeavor of its kind for the South Korean automobile brand. Earlier this month, the company presented Habitat One, a sustainable housing concept for a carbon-free society in the future. The project envisions robots that turn into resting platforms when they detect human motion nearby, a 3D-printed tree that releases oxygen into the surroundings, and numerous other bio-digital concepts for an eco-friendly habitat.

In February 2021, Hyundai also showcased an Ultimate Mobility Vehicle (UMV) concept called Transforming Intelligent Ground Excursion Robot (TIGER) X-1, a robotic vehicle designed to deliver payloads over extreme terrains. It has a unique leg and wheel locomotion system that offers it 360-degree direction control. The non-crewed machine is targeted at areas struck by natural disasters, but can also be modified to explore the moon’s surface.

The company also has a similar concept in active development called Elevate, which Hyundai classifies as “an electric car with robotic legs.” Also describes as a walking car, it has wheels mounted on multi-joint legs that are inspired by those of a grasshopper that allow it to climb, jump, and elevate above flowing water.