Hyundai Develops MobED, A Robot That Is Capable Of Safely Carrying Babies And Drinking Glasses

The all-in-one transport robot from Hyundai. (photo: Hyundai)

JAKARTA – A new four-wheeled robot designed to carry anything, was developed by Hyundai. The South Korean technology company is developing robots that can carry parcels and drinks to babies and health monitors.

According to Hyundai, the Mobile Eccentric Droid Robot (MobED) has a low and flat body that is perfect for the task of maintaining stability and high maneuverability.

It will be officially unveiled at the 2022 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January, where it will be shown performing tasks in complex and challenging environments.

In a promotional video for the device, the robot can be seen holding a baby and crossing hills while carrying a glass pyramid filled with champagne.

Hyundai explains, the MobED measures 26 inches long, weighs 110 pounds and will be "a useful mobility device for the elderly or disabled."

No pricing details have been released for the device, and Hyundai hasn't said when it will be commercially available.

The robot has been designed with a flat rectangular body to allow dual use, and is driven on four large wheels with independent suspension.

According to the Hyundai engineers who worked on the robot, the shape of the robot allows for 'optimum posture and stable movement even on uphill and uneven roads,'.

This means the platform can move through even the most complex urban environments by adjusting the wheelbase and steering angle more freely.

"We have developed the MobED platform to overcome the limitations of existing indoor guides and service robots while maximizing their usefulness in cities," said Dong Jin Hyun, Head of Robotics Lab at Hyundai Motor Group.

“We are also looking forward to assessing how potential MobED users will further expand their needs and use for this type of technology,” he added.

Coming with a number of new technologies, including 'Eccentric Wheel' drive and high-tech steering, this robot has a control system in braking and altitude.

This allows it to adapt and achieve optimal posture on different road surfaces and environments, without requiring human input or new wheels.

There are three motors mounted on each wheel, providing power and precise steering to the wheels, while providing better posture control.

"Individual power and steering control for each wheel enables 'in-place rotation and omnidirectional movement," Hyundai said in a press release.

This allows for highly effective mobility even in tight situations, they added. 'Eccentric' wheel drive controls posture and stabilizes posture by adjusting the height of each wheel according to the ground environment.

MobED's 12-inch pneumatic tires further help absorb bumps and vibrations, enabling it to carry even the most delicate payloads.

MOBED: Facts and Figures

Length: 26 inches (67 cm)

Width: 23 inches (60 cm)

Height: 13 inches (33 cm)

Weight: 110lb (50kg)

Wheelbase: The wheelbase is extended to 25 inches (65 cm) for optimal stability in high-speed driving. It drops to 17 inches (45 cm) for low-speed maneuvering in more complex environments.

Speed: 18.6mph (30kmh)

Battery capacity: 2kWh

Maximum working time: Four hours.