From left: Hyundai has invested in Swiss start-up WayRay to develop a holographic augmented
reality navigation system for its future vehicles; the marque also unveiled a smartphone-based
control technology for its electric vehicles that allows drivers to customise performance functions
such as acceleration and responsiveness through an app
start-up and a leader in autonomous driving technology
that also counts e-commerce giant Amazon and venture
capitalfirmSequoiaCapitalasinvestors.Itsaimis tobring
self-drivingvehiclesbythegrouptomarketby2021.Hyundai’s
new-generation Nexo hydrogen fuel cell crossover SUV was the
first test model, as autonomous driving technologies require a
large amount of power to support the data communication and
operation of hardware such as sensors.
“We know the future of transportation is autonomous, and
autonomous driving technology needs to be proven in the
real world to accelerate deployment in a safe and scalable
manner,” said Yang Woong Chul, former vice chairman of
Hyundai Motor Group, who oversaw the investment. Yang, who
is now an adviser to the conglomerate, added, “Combining
our advanced vehicle technology that embeds the latest safety
features with Aurora’s leading suite of Level 4 autonomous
technology will advance this revolution in mobility with
Hyundai in a leadership position.”
The forward-thinking company has already introduced
self-driving technology, such as its smart park assist and lane
keeping assist functions, to many of its cars. It is also making
a big impact in the development of environmentally friendly
electric vehicles (EV). In May, Hyundai Motor Group invested
€80m in Croatian carmaker Rimac Automobili. Both companies
will work closely together to develop prototypes for an electric
versionof theHyundaiN brandsportsconceptcaranda
high-performance fuel cell electric vehicle by 2020.
“We want to build high-performance vehicles that
are not only fast and powerful but also meet the highest
expectations of our customers as the car of their dreams,”
said Thomas Schemera, executive vice president and head
of Hyundai Motor Group’s high-performance vehicle and
motorsport division. “Our goal is to popularise electric vehicles
and create social value through world-class technology and
innovation in performance.”INDUSTRY LEADING
Hyundai’s diversification strategy is already paying dividends
and the company has picked up several awards for its
innovative and smart cars. In July, the marque received the
award for the Most Innovative Volume Brand at the 2019
Automotive Innovations Awards. Organised by the Center of
Automotive Management and PricewaterhouseCoopers, the
awards recognised the marque’s “particularly high proportion
of innovations (almost 18 per cent) that can be attributed to
alternative drive systems”.
Two Hyundai models were also noted as “innovation
drivers”: the Kona Electric, which is the most wide-ranging
battery electric vehicle in the small SUV segment with an
electric driving range of up to 449km per charge; and the
Nexo, which features a blind spot view monitor, highway
driving assist function, and remote smart parking function,
which makes it the first car in its segment to be able to park
fully automatically.
As the world becomes more data- and technology-driven,
Hyundai wants to be at the forefront of the exciting changes
ahead. Through its strategic collaborations and partnerships
with globally renowned organisations, start-ups and technology
firms, it is equipped to quickly and effectively respond to the
rapidly changing needs of the automotive industry. If anything,
Hyundai is already changing the game and the way we will
perceive cars in the future.HYUNDAI SINGAPORE
253 Alexandra Road, tel: 6475 8888
hyundai.com/sgHYUNDAI SPECIAL