Hyundai unveils TIGER four legged robotic vehicle
Engineers at Hyundai have developed a four-legged walking robot called the TIGER, or ‘Transforming Intelligent Ground Excursion Robot’, for carrying cargo over challenging terrain.
Dubbed the first uncrewed ultimate mobility vehicle (UMV), the concept features a sophisticated leg and wheel locomotion system, 360-degree directional control, and a range of sensors for remote observation. The high-tech machine will also be able to connect to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which can fully charge and deliver it to inaccessible locations.
TIGER’s capabilities are designed to function as a mobile scientific exploration platform in extreme, remote locations and potentially on the moon. A large load bay housed within its body means TIGER can carry goods for delivery or be deployed to deliver aid packages in emergency situations.
Leg-wheel articulation enables the vehicle to tackle a range of extreme situations while keeping payloads more level than a typical ground vehicle. With its legs retracted, it drives like an all-wheel drive vehicle and is in its most efficient mode because it moves by rolling traction.
But when the vehicle gets stuck or needs to travel over terrain that is difficult or impassable for wheels alone, it uses its walking ability to get unstuck or more easily travel over that terrain.
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This was a feature previously seen in Elevate, Hyundai Motor Group’s first-ever UMV concept with moveable legs, which debuted at the 2019 Consumer Electronic Show (CES).
Both TIGER and Elevate blend robotic and wheeled locomotion technologies, allowing them to traverse terrain beyond the limitations of even the most capable off-road vehicle.
TIGER is being developed by Hyundai Motor Group’s New Horizons Studio, headquartered in Mountain View, California.
Says Dr. John Suh, Head of New Horizons Studio:
“Vehicles like TIGER, and the technologies underpinning it, give us an opportunity to push our imaginations. We are constantly looking at ways to rethink vehicle design and development and re-define the future of transportation and mobility.”
