Hyundai's Elevate - Walking Car Concept

[DocM]

Hyundai Elevate 

 

Off-road, rescue, (off-planet?)

 

 

 

[Unobscured Vision]

I like it!

[DocM]

Me too!

[Jim K Global Moderator]

//moved out of "Universe News" and created its own thread in Neobahn

Quote

Hyundai's 'Elevate' concept is a four-legged first responder

 

Reaching victims of a natural disaster as quickly as possible is paramount for saving as many lives as possible but damage to the region's roads, bridges and other infrastructure often make that task nearly impossible. But with the new Elevate Ultimate Mobility Vehicle (UMV) from Hyundai's CRADLE division, first responders will be able to clamber, crawl, and generally cruise over even the most impassable obstacles with ease. Namely because each of the vehicle's four wheels is affixed to an articulated, extendable leg.

 

Based on a modular EV platform, the Elevate can be deployed in a variety of emergency situations, from earthquakes and hurricanes to avalanches and tsunamis, simply by swapping the cabin out from the underlying vehicle frame. Each leg is afforded five degrees of freedom, while each wheel is packed with its own motor enabling the UMV to maintain its progress even is one or two wheels can't get traction. If worst comes to worst, the vehicle can even freeze its wheels in place and "walk" over the debris field. It can easily clear 5-foot tall walls and span 5-foot wide gaps in pavement. And once the first responders are clear of the disaster zone, the Elevate's legs retract under the cabin and drive like a conventional EV.

 

//snip

 

Engadget

 

Pretty cool ...