Hyundai Motor Company is building some weird robots. In addition to the more straightforward car manufacturing you might expect, the auto giant brings you one or two walking car robots, some drones, and the Mobile Eccentric Droid (Mobile Eccentric Wheel Robot, or MobED).
This four-wheeled Segway-style device is a platform in the strictest sense. That is, it's open to a variety of different applications — and you can put something on it, very realistic. It is actually a mobile axle frame designed for a variety of environments on which roboticists can build autonomous and controlled robotic applications.
Judging by Hyundai's brightly colored YouTube videos posted before CES, where the system will be on display, potential applications for MobED include package shipping, shipping of small babies, and remote conferencing. Other potential applications for MobED include providing mobility to people with walking difficulties.
Dong Jin Hyun, head of the Robotics Lab at Hyundai Motor Group, said in a press release: "We have developed the MobED platform to overcome the limitations of existing indoor guidance and service robots, in addition to maximizing its availability in the city by significantly improving the overall mobility of the platform. In addition, we are looking ahead and evaluating how potential users of MobED will further expand their demand and use of such technologies. ”
The system weighs up to 110 pounds and can reach speeds of up to 19mph. According to modern estimates, the built-in battery should last about four hours. "Eccentric" refers to the control mechanism of the system.
To put it in a modern way: "The posture control system based on the eccentric wheel mechanism also stabilizes the body 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. ”
More information about this — and other modern robots — will be announced at NEXT MONTH's CES.