Hyundai develops the UMV: a vehicle capable of tackling any terrain

When we think of the near future, we quickly associate it with electric and autonomous vehicles, but Hyundai has wanted to season these features with a very special incentive. The Korean brand has named them UMV, and they are presented as a prototype that relies on advanced technology to overcome any type of obstacle. In this way, Hyundai aims to revolutionise the rescue of those affected by any kind of catastrophe, with this concept car tasked with carrying out an important mission.

Elevate is the name given to this unusual vehicle which, as we have already mentioned, falls into the new UMV category, an acronym that stands for Ultimate Mobility Vehicle. Its conception was prompted by the large number of deaths caused by various cataclysms in recent years, a weighty reason for brands such as Hyundai to decide to react.

UMV: a new type of vehicle ready to change the world

Hyundai aims to revolutionise the world with this unusual concept which, although it is still at prototype stage, the brand is considering putting it into production, even to create street vehicles with these characteristics. At first glance we find a car with very futuristic technology and looks, a feature that fits perfectly with its many functions.

It is true that rescue vehicles already exist today, but the Korean firm has decided to go further by using an electric car as its base. At the same time, Hyundai’s engineers have applied the appropriate modifications so that the Elevate not only drives on public roads, but is also able to climb and cross any terrain regardless of the circumstances.

Capabilities inspired by reptiles and mammals

Hyundai’s engineers drew inspiration from the animal world to develop the functions of this first UMV. Although it may sound far-fetched at first, it actually makes a great deal of sense once explained. Mimicking the movements of the world’s strongest reptiles has allowed the Korean firm to achieve truly impressive results.

This is demonstrated when the UMV Elevate folds its “legs” upwards, where the power to the joints is cut. At the same time, an integrated passive suspension system maximises battery savings, without compromising the capabilities of this concept car. The Elevate is presented as a vehicle capable of travelling at the legal motorway speed, climbing a five-foot wall, walking at up to almost 5 km/h over uneven terrain, and offering a wheelbase of 15 feet wide, without compromising the integrity of the cabin at any time, as it always remains level.

A technology we will be able to enjoy in tomorrow’s world

Without a doubt, Hyundai has gone one step further with the presentation of this prototype, a vehicle that arrives to offer numerous functions thanks to its innovative technology. On the one hand we find its robotic limbs, which have up to five degrees of freedom and propulsion at each and every one of its wheels.

https://youtu.be/SZvQtlh6ueM

At the same time, we find the aforementioned ability to move like a mammal or a reptile, in order to correctly perform omnidirectional movement. Along with the ability to climb walls, it also features the function of jumping ditches up to five feet wide, complemented by locking its legs in any position due to motors that are not suitable for reverse movement.

In this way, the Korean firm not only aims to bring us closer to a future that is far more committed to the environment, but also a functional one, where electric vehicles will display numerous capabilities thanks to the latest technology.