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Korea is building a 'city' for self-driving cars
South Korea will soon open an 88 acre facility with everything an autonomous car might encounter, including expressways, parking areas and bus-only lanes, according to the Korea Business Times. First announced last year, it will be the world's largest, dwarfing Michigan's 32-acre Mcity facility that it's reportedly based on. The idea is to let companies test self-driving tech in a repeatable way, without the hard-to-get permits normally required to test vehicles on Korea's public roads.
Prototype Genesis SUV melds hydrogen and plug-in power
It hasn't even been two years since Hyundai spun out its Genesis luxury badge as a separate division, but the new group is already making a name for itself. Genesis has unveiled its first experimental SUV, the GV80 Concept, and the prototype clearly pushes a few boundaries. For one, it's a plug-in fuel cell hybrid. The company isn't talking performance figures at this point, but the combination of electric and hydrogen power promises zero-emissions driving while still delivering a healthy range.
Hyundai chooses efficiency over range with its new Ioniq vehicles
Hyundai has been dragging its feet. Hybrid technology has been on the road for over a decade, and the Korean automaker is only now catching up, with its own dedicated Ioniq brand (a hybrid Sonata has been available for a while). But instead of just dropping a single car into the market and waiting to see what happens, the company decided to introduce three Ioniq green vehicles, a hybrid, a plug-in hybrid and an electric vehicle.
Car makers ask Trump to revisit fuel efficiency rules
Car companies operating in the US are required to meet stringent fuel efficiency standards (a fleet average of 54.5MPG) through 2025, but they're hoping to loosen things now that President Trump is in town. Leaders from Fiat Chrysler, Ford, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, Toyota and VW have sent a letter to Trump asking him to rethink the Obama administration's choice to lock in efficiency guidelines for the next several years. The car makers want to revisit the midterm review for the 2025 commitment in hopes of loosening the demands. They claim that the tougher requirements raise costs, don't match public buying habits and will supposedly put "as many a million" jobs up in the air.
Hyundai's connected cars now work with Google Assistant
Hyundai is giving you another way to shout orders at its connected Blue Link cars, shortly after revealing an Amazon Alexa partnership. The company is teaming up with Google, letting you give commands to Santa Fe, Sonata or other compatible models via its voice-controlled Assistant. Using a Google Home device, you'll be able to say, "OK Google, start my Santa Fe and set the temperature to 72 degrees" or "Ask Blue Link to lock my car," to give a couple examples.
Hyundai's next fuel cell SUVs have a reported range of 348 miles
Hyundai's next line of fuel cell SUVs will have a range of 348 miles, besting the current Hyundai Tucson by 30 percent, according to Nikkei. Hyundai reportedly plans to roll out its second generation of fuel cell SUVs in January 2018.
Hyundai tests a more economical autonomous car system
Our self-driving future will initially be extremely expensive. That's why GM and Ford are working on autonomous systems for ride-hailing ahead of selling cars to individuals. Meanwhile, Korean automaker Hyundai is researching another approach: a system that uses less computing power and is therefore cheaper.
Hyundai wants to make exoskeletons cheaper
Exoskeletons are nothing new. You put one on and become a low-level Iron Man, able to lift items that would normally snap your spine. The drawback is they can be prohibitively expensive, but Hyundai thinks it can lower the cost of these exosuits that not only give us the ability to lift more, but can also help disabled people walk once again.
Hyundai will give away free rides in its ad-branded EVs
Ride sharing is getting some serious interest with both titans and startups: Google opened its Waze Rider program in the Bay Area back in September, while Danish carmaker Spiri will unleash its fleet of small, spry electric vehicles for a ride-sharing pilot program starting next year in Europe. Not to be outdone, Hyundai is lending EV versions of its IONIQ sedan to ad-supported ride-sharing startup WaiveCar, which will start deploying them in LA.
Hyundai adds Amazon's Alexa to its Blue Link connected cars
It's no fun starting your commute by going at your car with an ice scraper on a frosty morning. If you own a 2016 Hyundai, you won't have to -- at least if you have an Amazon Echo at home. The car-maker has baked Amazon's Alexa virtual assistant into its Blue Link connected car app. This means you can start your car, and set the temperature (among other things) from the warm embrace of your comforter using just your voice starting today.
Hyundai is working on a real-life 'Aliens' exoskeleton
Lots of companies are working on exoskeleton suits, but most are designed to slightly increase your lifting capacity, prevent injuries or help you empathize. Not Hyundai, though -- the South Korean automaker is aiming for something more extreme with a "wearable robot" that it likens to an Iron Man suit. Workers piloting the device can lift objects weighing "hundreds of kilograms," according to the company. Soldiers can also use it to pack up to 50 kilograms (110 pounds) over long distances.
Inhabitat's Week in Green: Tesla's Model 3, and more!
After years of anticipation, Tesla just unveiled its most affordable electric car to date. The Model 3 is a svelte EV for the masses that starts at $35,000, and it can drive 215 miles on a single charge. Meanwhile, Hyundai set a world record by driving a hydrogen-powered car for 6,096 continuous miles. In other transportation news, India announced ambitious plans to become a 100 percent electric vehicle nation by the year 2030. A Colorado startup unveiled a supersonic jet that can travel from New York to London in three hours flat. And we rounded up nine of the best cargo bikes for carting around kids and goods in style.
Here's what Hyundai's first all-electric vehicle looks like
The Hyundai Ioniq is poised to be a bold vehicle -- a sedan sold with drivetrain options that can turn it into a gasoline-hybrid, a plug-in or a fully-electric car -- but beyond a couple of teaser images, we haven't actually seen much of it. Today that changes: Hyundai just released a handful of clear, high resolution images revealing the exterior and interior of the vehicle.
Hyundai wants to replace the owner's manual with AR
Korean car maker Hyundai wants you to leave your owner's manual in the glove box. Instead it's updating its Car Care app for iOS and Android with the Hyundai Virtual Guide AR feature that not only points out important elements in its vehicles but also includes video tutorials on how to use those features and perform simple maintenance like checking the oil and changing the air filter.
Hyundai Sonata will finally get CarPlay in early 2016
Hyundai began teasing Apple's CarPlay software for its vehicles way back in 2014, but failed to deliver it as promised in the 2015 Sonata. Now, the automaker will finally make Cupertino's in-car system available during the first quarter of 2016. What's more, it won't be a free upgrade. Hyundai says that Sonata owners will need to purchase an SD card in order to employ CarPlay inside their vehicles. Originally, the company said the software would be available for free in 2015 and 2015 Sonata models outfitted the requisite infotainment setup. What's more, Hyundai already offers Android Auto to its customers free of charge. When CarPlay arrives for Sonata owners, the Hyundai will join the likes of Chevrolet and Honda that already offer the software inside vehicles.[Image credit: AP Photo/Eric Risberg]
Hyundai teases the Ioniq, its first all-electric vehicle
Hyundai is planning to officially debut its Ioniq EV next month, but there's something rather unique about the new model. Not only will it arrive in an all-electric version, but the automaker will have gasoline-electric and plug-in electric hybrid options, too. Hyundai says that this is the first time a vehicle will be sold with three different environmentally-friendly powertrain options to choose from. Today the company offered a second look, which includes interior and exterior renders, following the first teaser earlier this month.
Hyundai makes owner's manuals more interesting with augmented reality
Augmented reality showrooms are one thing, but Hyundai using that tech to make learning about your new car more interesting. This week, the automaker announced its an augmented reality owner's manual app for Android and iOS. The Hyundai Virtual Guide plays nice with both smartphones and tablets, offering details on repairs, maintenance and vehicle features. Hyundai says the app will only provide reference materials for the 2015 Sonata at first, but other models will be added soon after. There's 82 how-to videos, six 3D overlay images for areas like the engine bay and over 50 guides to serve up all the details in a format that's should be engaging that flipping pages. This isn't the first time owner's manuals have gone digital, and despite Hyundai's claim, it's also not the first to include augmented reality. The apps are available now, free of charge, via either iTunes or Google Play.
Taking a spin in the first car with Android Auto
Get ready for Android Auto to hit the masses. Until now, the only way to get the Google-powered car interface was to install an aftermarket unit from Pioneer, and even those have only been around since March (Parrot is also citing support for Android Auto in its head units, but its availability has not been announced). But that changes today, as Android Auto is now finally available in actual cars that you can buy. That is, if you want to buy a Hyundai. The Korean automaker is the first car company to have Android Auto integrated in its production vehicles, starting with the 2015 Sonata with Navigation models. I recently spent a week with a 2015 Hyundai Sonata Sport 2.0T, and while I think Android Auto still has some growing up to do, I was overall very pleased.
Hyundai lets owners control their cars with smartwatches
Hey, Hyundai owners, it's finally here: the Blue Link companion app for smartwatches that the automaker promised back during CES this year. And yes, you can use it to remotely lock/unlock doors, start/stop the engine, flash lights or honk any Blue Link-enabled car's horn, even if it's as old as the 2012 Sonata. It can also help you find your car in humongous parking lots and call roadside assistance -- plus, you can do all those by issuing voice commands, so long as you press the mic icon. Not bad, huh? As Hyundai Motor's Frank Ferrara said: "It is like being James Bond 007 or Scotty in Star Trek." The companion app's now out for Android Wear devices, but there's also an Apple Watch version just waiting for the wearable to hit the market.
Soon you can start Hyundais with an Android Wear watch
Oh, you use an app on your phone to start your car? How passé. Hyundai's gearing up for CES by talking up an Android Wear app that'll let you remotely unlock, locate and start your car with a tap on the wrist. Naturally, if you just can't muster the energy to swipe on your smartwatch, you'll be able to issue voice commands to get the job done, too. Isn't the future grand?
