New Personal Mobility Vehicle from Hyundai Is Egg on Wheels

At the Seoul Motor Show 2013, Hyundai introduced a curious new concept — a personal mobility vehicle (PMV) dubbed the “E4U,” which was created by the company’s Advanced Design Department. 

Hyundai E4U closed up.

While the design might raise some eyebrows, the technology incorporated into this latest incarnation of the PMV is impressive. For one, it’s capable of freely moving in any direction even though it uses a motor that rotates in just one direction. It is able to do this because the vehicle sits atop a rotating semispherical component — basically the lower half of a ball. 

 
Hyundai E4U open.

When this part is vertical to the ground and rotating horizontally, enough force is generated to spin the vehicle around. To keep it from spinning uncontrollably, training wheels are located on the back side, which provide frictional force against the ground (the relationship between the two is somewhat akin to that of a helicopter’s propeller and its tail rotor). 

Training wheels come with E4U to maintain balance and help steer the vehicle.

To move forward, the vehicle is tilted and the ball instead rotates counterclockwise. This new rotative force is transmitted to the ground and allows the E4U to move forward. Direction of travel is controlled by the user’s feet, which tilts the vehicle to one side or the other. 

The driver uses their feet to control the direction of the E4U.

To move forward-left, the left foot is used to tilt the ball so that the left side training wheel of the E4U is in contact with the ground and kicks the ground backwards. The same thing happens when done to the right side. 

 
Forward motion of the E4U is accomplished by the semi-spherical component working in tandem with the rear training wheel.

Not too surprisingly, the driver of the E4U admitted that controlling the vehicle does take some getting used to.

Speed of the E4U depends on rotation speed of the motor and angle of tilt. It should be noted, though, that since the vehicle is still a concept piece, it doesn’t go much faster than a person’s average walking pace.

Unfortunately, Hyundai did not release information regarding what powers the E4U during the demonstration. It’s probably safe to say that this vehicle, whose “E” stands for “Ecology,” among other things, will not be powered by gas.

Hyundai began working on the development of this technology in October 2012. This marks the first time it’s been introduced to the public. No word yet on pricing or if the company truly intends to take this PMV to market.

Story via: techon.nikkeibp.co.jp