Important Innovations

  Hyundai Ioniq Seven - "Category Bending Proposition"                                                  Source:  Hyundai Hyundai Showcasing the Future of Automotive Technology At the LA Auto Show, Hyundai unveiled an extra large electric SUV concept called the Hyundai Ioniq Seven, which the company calls " a category bending proposition".  The vehicle is breakthrough in several respects.  It is an advanced technology platform for Hyundai's future of big electric SUVs, which it calls SUEVs.  It is also a look at Hyundai's vision of the future of autonomous vehicles that serve as new living spaces.  And it showcases the capabilities of Hyundai's EV platform. The Electric Global Modular Platform or E-GMP can be stretched and scaled to make extra large SUVs or smaller ones.  This platform has versatility and will be used for the upcoming Ioniq 5, Kia EVs and Genesis GV60.  It is a breakthrough piece of EV technology in the automotive industry. Tech Specs The

  Electric Vehicle Generator Powers a Home                                             Source:  Ford EV Electricity Gives Back to the Grid Millions in the northeastern part of the US lost power for days in late October due to a severe "nor'easter" storm.  A year from now the no power nightmare could be reversed for some by EVs like the new F-150 Lightning that will hit the market in 2022.  The Lightning is capable of powering a home for 3 days.  The EV can act as a generator by using its battery to light up and heat the owner's home.  Other EVs like the Nissan Leaf have a similar capability.  And, VW and Hyundai are developing the same technology which is known as bidirectional charging. Bidirectional Charging With bidirectional charging, the EV battery can receive energy and also discharge it to supply power.  The battery is also capable of sending back power to the grid, which is known as V2G (vehicle to grid).  As the number of EVs on the road climbs, that will exp

Ford F-150 Lightning   Generator Powers a Home                                             Source:  Ford EV Electricity Gives Back to the Grid Millions in the northeastern part of the US lost power for days in late October due to a severe "nor'easter" storm.  A year from now the no power nightmare could be reversed for some by EVs like the new F-150 Lightning that will hit the market in 2022.  The Lightning is capable of powering a home for 3 days.  The EV can act as a generator by using its battery to light up and heat the owner's home.  Other EVs like the Nissan Leaf have a similar capability.  And, VW and Hyundai are developing the same technology which is known as bidirectional charging. Bidirectional Charging With bidirectional charging, the EV battery can receive energy and also discharge it to supply power.  The battery is also capable of sending back power to the grid, which is known as V2G (vehicle to grid).  As the number of EVs on the road climbs, that will

  Audi, BMW & Daimler Making Major Hydrogen Pushes                                           Source: BMW Hydrogen SUV Europe Joining Japan, South Korea & China in Development of Green Hydrogen Cars Big German automakers, including BMW and Audi, are betting that hydrogen fuel cell technology is extremely important to the future of driving, along with battery electric cars.  The current global consensus is that electric battery vehicles, your current and future EV, are the primary key to the near term, global automotive future.  But the new twist from top automotive executives is the growing support building around the upcoming emergence of hydrogen powered cars, which are clean, zero emissions and much quicker to re-fuel.  BMW and Audi, in particular, are ramping up their hydrogen vehicle development plans. They know that EVs remain a big part of the nearer zero emissions future and are building a portfolio of EVs. But they are signing on to a longer term strategy that hydrogen

  Vision FK Concept is a Hydrogen Fuel Cell, Plug-in Hybrid                                             Source:  Hyundai Zero Emissions and Very Fast Hyundai has a Hydrogen Vision 2040 plan to offer in its commercial fleet only hydrogen fuel cell vehicles by 2040. As it develops its hydrogen technology system across its portfolio, it has just unveiled a 670 horsepower fuel cell plug-in hybrid sports car - the Vision FK concept. This vehicle combines plug-in electric vehicle power with hydrogen fuel cell technology.  A full recharge takes only 5 minutes.  The photos of this exciting concept are camouflaged but it looks sleek and very fast with intake openings to increase speed where the rear doors should be. It is a very promising, zero emissions work in progress. Tech Specs The vehicle combines zero emissions with a lot of power.  There is a 500-kilowatt dual motor powertrain.  Each rear wheel has a motor. The EV accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in less than 4 seconds.  A plug in hybrid, h

Hyundai N 2025 Vision Concept                                   Source: Hyundai N 2025 Vision                                      Source:  Forze Hydrogen Racing                                                                                Source:  Hyundai New Energy Powered Race Car Possibly Headed to Le Mans Hyundai is developing a radically new, hydrogen powered hypercar that could be headed for competition in The Le Mans.  The N 2025 Vision concept demonstrates what Hyundai's Le Mans entry could look like - sleek, ultra fast, flashy red, powerful aerodynamic design and green energy.  The N 2025 combines hydrogen and electric battery power, which Hyundai believes will create tremendous future options for motorsports and normal driving.  The company is looking into the possibilities of using hydrogen as both a range extender and power booster on electric vehicles. Le Mans The Le Mans is the world's oldest, active and one of the most prestigious sports car competitions in end

  Hyundai N 2025 Vision Concept                                       Source:  Hyundai N 2025 Vision                                   Source: Hyundai N 2025 Vision                                      Source:  Forze Hydrogen Racing                                                                                Source:  Hyundai New Energy Powered Race Car Possibly Headed to Le Mans Hyundai is developing a radically new, hydrogen powered hypercar that could be headed for competition in The Le Mans.  The N 2025 Vision concept demonstrates what Hyundai's Le Mans entry could look like - sleek, ultra fast, flashy red, powerful aerodynamic design and green energy.  The N 2025 combines hydrogen and electric battery power, which Hyundai believes will create tremendous future options for motorsports and normal driving.  The company is looking into the possibilities of using hydrogen as both a range extender and power booster on electric vehicles. Le Mans The Le Mans is the world's oldest

Hyundai Completes Acquisition of Leading Robot Developer Boston Dynamics                                Source:  Hyundai & Boston Dynamics Synergies of Robotics and Automakers Hyundai Motor Group has completed its acquisition of Boston Dynamics, a world leader in developing agile, mobile robots such as Spot the robodog.  Boston Dynamics was valued at $1.1 billion with Hyundai having an 80% stake and SoftBank owning 20%.  The question is why would a global automaker buy a robotics company?  The answer:  Hyundai is going into robotics in multidimensional ways, including autonomous cars, urban air mobility vehicles and robots. Robotic Value Chain Hyundai says that it and Boston Dynamics will create a robotic value chain for everything from robot component manufacturing to smart logistics solutions.  Hyundai already has significant internal robotic expertise including factory automation, wearable exoskeletons to protect and strengthen workers and a service robot that performs hotel dut

Hyundai Completes Acquisition of Leading Robot Developer Boston Dynamics                                Source:  Hyundai & Boston Dynamics Synergies of Robotics and Automakers Hyundai Motor Group has completed its acquisition of Boston Dynamics, a world leader in developing agile, mobile robots such as Spot the robodog.  Boston Dynamics was valued at $1.1 billion with Hyundai having an 80% stake and SoftBank owning 20%.  The question is why would a global automaker buy a robotics company?  The answer:  Hyundai is going into robotics in multidimensional ways, including autonomous cars, urban air mobility vehicles and robots. Robotic Value Chain Hyundai says that it and Boston Dynamics will create a robotic value chain for everything from robot component manufacturing to smart logistics solutions.  Hyundai already has significant internal robotic expertise including factory automation, wearable exoskeletons to protect and strengthen workers and a service robot that performs hotel dut

 Hyundai and GM Are Pushing eVTOL Development                                                               Source:  Hyundai Flying Taxi Concepts & Port Hyundai Sees Flying Taxi Commercialization in US By 2025 GM and Hyundai are accelerating their development of flying cars. South Korea automaker Hyundai believes it could have an air taxi service operational within four years and possibly before 2025.  GM believes its air taxi service will be up and running by 2030 because of technical and regulatory issues that the entire industry needs to address.  There are a growing number of developers in the field ranging from startups to global airplane makers like Airbus.  The flying cars under development are largely eVTOLs or electric, vertical takeoff and landing vehicles.  They take off and land like a helicopter and fly like a plane.  They are powered by electric batteries with zero emissions. Hyundai in aTake Off Mode Hyundai says it is already ahead of schedule to roll out air mobili

  Flying Car Development is Accelerating   Source:  Hyundai Flying Taxi Concepts  Hyundai Sees Flying Taxi Commercialization in US By 2025 GM and Hyundai are accelerating their development of flying cars. South Korea automaker Hyundai believes it could have an air taxi service operational within four years and possibly before 2025.  GM believes its air taxi service will be up and running by 2030 because of technical and regulatory issues that the entire industry needs to address.  There are a growing number of developers in the field ranging from startups to global airplane makers like Airbus.  The flying cars under development are largely eVTOLs or electric, vertical takeoff and landing vehicles.  They take off and land like a helicopter and fly like a plane.  They are powered by electric batteries with zero emissions. Hyundai in aTake Off Mode Hyundai says it is already ahead of schedule to roll out air mobility vehicles.  Hyundai COO and CEO North America Jose Munoz says that he thi

  Summer Debut for Genesis Brand in Europe Source:  Genesis Electric and Hybrid Vehicles To Be Showcased South Korea's Hyundai is debuting its luxury Genesis brand in Europe this summer.  It will offer both electric and conventional vehicles but it is clearly pushing its electric and hybrid models into the European market.  There is a strategic reason for it.  Europe is one of the world's fastest growing electric vehicle markets.  Sales of electric and plug in hybrid vehicles tripled in the European Union in 2020 to over 1 million vehicle sold, which amounted to more than 10% of total sales. Driving Electric Genesis will premier in Europe, starting in June, its sedans and SUVs.  The electrified G80 will be the first all electric Genesis to arrive in Europe.  Within the next year, two more battery powered electric cars will be added to the Genesis mix in Europe providing customers with the choice of three zero emissions Genesis vehicles.  Automotive analysts think that Genesis h

Apple & Hyundai Likely to Partner on the Driverless Apple E-Car                                        Source:  Apple Artist Concept Launch Targeted for 2024 The Apple electric car is the most anticipated and talked about Apple product in the pipeline.  The company is targeting 2024 for the launch of the all electric, driverless, zero emissions vehicle.  Apple is developing proprietary technologies for the car such as self driving software and highly advanced batteries. The big question is how will Apple mass produce the e-vehicles? Hyundai Kia Likely Partnership With Apple A fresh news report from South Korea indicates that it may be Hyundai and its subsidiary Kia that do the manufacturing and mass production of the Apple e-cars.  The two, South Korean global automakers may also work with Apple on the hardware and software.  Hyundai has reportedly signed an agreement with Apple to cooperate in eight strategic areas including EVs. Apple is On Radio Silence Apple is traditionally ve

  A Car That Walks                                             Source:  Hyundai Tiger Combines Robotics with Transportation South Korean automaker Hyundai is taking a leading role in the future of transportation innovation. It just unveiled its latest concept vehicle - Tiger - an electric, autonomous driving & walking car.  The vehicle innovatively combines robotics with transportation.  Hyundai calls it a UMV or ultimate mobility vehicle.  It is designed to change from a 4 wheel drive vehicle for road and off-road travel to a 4 leg walking vehicle when necessary to climb over obstacles that it can't drive over.  Tiger stands for Transforming Intelligent Ground Excursion Robot. Fully Autonomous Tiger is designed to be driverless and crewless with no passengers onboard. It is all electric and runs on four electric engines, each on top of each wheel.  It is fully autonomous.  Its purpose is to carry packages, material and payloads to hard to reach places, including disaster areas

  Spot Now Has an Awesome Robotic Arm     Source: Boston Dynamics: Spot Doing Chores & Flipping a Switch The New Spot Enterprise Boston Dynamics Spot RoboDog is famous and beloved globally for its capabilities.  Spot is on duty as a home  and office helper, worker on oil rigs and construction sites and as a social distancer for COVID protection, among many other of its capabilities. Boston Dynamics, now majority owned by Hyundai, has just given Spot a very impressive upgrade.  The new Spot Enterprise has remote operating capabilities, a self-charging deck and most interestingly a new robotic arm that enables some amazing capabilities. Look At What Spot Can Do Spot is now even more useful.  With its new arm, it can perform tasks like picking towels and throwing them into a basket on its back for the laundry.  The robot can plant vegetables and flowers in a garden, clean a room, operate industrial switches and valves and do a fun thing like writing chalk messages in a driveway.  The

  Talks Now Underway on Autonomous, Electric Car                                        Source: Hyundai Concept Car Target for Apple E-Car 2024 Hyundai has confirmed that it is talking with Apple about joining forces to develop an autonomous electric car.  The talks are in the early stages but there are indications that Hyundai would manufacture the Apple designed electric car.  Hyundai may also develop batteries for it.  Today's confirmation shot up Hyundai's share price 20%. Apple's Project Titan Apple's e-car Project Titan has a target date for producing the car by 2024.  Apple has recently added a number of former Tesla executives to the development team.  Apple brings tremendous technological innovation to the table for self-driving electric cars.  The highly advanced technology includes 3D lidar sensors, cameras and an inexpensive, long range breakthrough battery.  Should the Apple-Hyundai partnership be forged, Hyundai will add to the mix global automotive design

  Hydrogen to Power Cars, T rucks, Boats and Trains                                                  Source:  Hyundai Hyundai's New HTwo Hydrogen Powertrain Hyundai recently unveiled some key components of its strategy for the future, including hydrogen powered vehicles.   Hyundai has unveiled its new hydrogen fuel cell powertrain HTwo.  It stands for hydrogen's molecular structure H2.  HTwo will be the hydrogen powertrain for Hyundai's next generation fuel cell vehicles.  And Hyundai wants cars, boats, trains and future large scale vessels to be powered by HTwo.  Hyundai's ultimate goal is to seriously fight climate change as hydrogen is emissions free.  The South Korean company is currently prioritizing increased energy density and affordability of its hydrogen powered vehicles. Flying Hydrogen Taxis Hyundai is also focusing on urban air mobility vehicles or flying taxis.  It is aiming to power flying taxis with its HTwo powertrain, which would make them green, clean

  Purchase is About Technology for Autonomous Cars                                             Source:  Boston Dynamics $1.1 Billion Deal South Korean automaker Hyundai has purchased from Japan's Softbank the majority stake in robotics company Boston Dynamics for $1.1 billion.  Boston Dynamics is a cutting edge robotics firm and world famous for its robot dog Spot.  Hyundai is making the purchase to advance its autonomous technology for self-driving cars. Multi-tasking Spot Spot is a highly advanced, semi-autonomous, 4 legged robot that works around the world in many capacities.  It is on duty in many hospitals to help minimize medical staff exposure to COVID.  Spot works on construction sites, factory floors, on oil rigs and can even serve as a personal companion that opens the door or a bottle of coke.  Now, its robotic technology will empower autonomous vehicles.  Experts say Spot's robotic technology may also enable the smart factories of the future and innovative, new tech

Fascinating SK & Israeli Partnership on Self-Driving Tech Source:  Hyundai Ioniq Autonomous Car Hyundai Mobis and Israel's Cognata A global partnership between Hyundai Mobis and Israel's Cognata has just been announced to accelerate to market autonomous, self driving vehicles.  Cognata develops simulation software and training data for driver assistance systems and autonomous, self driving vehicles.  Hyundai Mobis, a software provider and part of the Hyundai group, has selected Cognata to test its offerings to facilitate the use of self-driving vehicles and accelerate them to the global market .  Rolling Out Self-Driving Vehicles to Market Large scale, simulations provide the only environment where advanced driver assistance system programs (ADAS) and autonomous vehicle technology can be safely tested and validated, according to Cognata.  Cognata CEO Danny Atsmon says there is tremendous growth and momentum coming out of South Korea on both ADAS and self-driving technologie

High Performing Halo EV 2021 Kia's EV Concept "Vision" Setting New Standards at Affordable Price Kia plans to launch a high performance, all electric vehicle - the Halo - in 2021.  Kia is promising the EV will have long range, very high performance and ultra quick charging. And, very importantly, they say is will be reasonably priced at considerably below the cost of Tesla, Mercedes and BMW EV's.  Kia's goal is to establish its electric vehicle leadership by setting a very high bar in the EV global industry. Being all-electric, the Halo will have zero emissions. Halo Crossing Boundaries The Halo is expected to blend the boundaries between sedans and SUV's.  Part of the mindset behind the Halo is the EV concept car Vision, that Kia showcased at the recent Geneva Auto Show.  Kia won't launch the Halo until 2021 because they're waiting for parent company Hyundai's new, all electric platform that it wants to use to build the