Hyundai Develops Snow-Chain Technology Located Inside A Wheel/Tire

Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation have together unveiled a new snow chain-integrated tire technology to make it easier to stay safe in winter driving conditions.

For an uninitiated, Snow-chains are quite in demand in cold countries where snow covers the roads making it slippery, and difficult and dangerous to drive on. Snow-chains can effectively dig into snow and frozen surfaces. The chains can grip the road and allow the wheels to rotate freely.

Hyundai has presented a new wheel and tire design that incorporates built-in snow chains that deploy and retract at the push of a button, potentially putting an end to the fiddly, freezing process of wrapping and removing traditional snow chains.

The snow chain-integrated tire technology consists of a wheel and tire assembly that feature radial grooves at regular intervals, like a pizza, with modules made of shape memory alloy inserted into these channels.

 

Hyundai Motor and Kia Unveil Snow Chain-Integrated Tire Technology Using Shape Memory Alloy

Hyundai's snow chain-integrated tire technology uses shape memory alloy modules that are located inside the wheel and tire. These modules protrude to act as a ‘snow chain’ when an electrical signal is received.

Unlike traditional snow chains that are complicated to install and remove, this technology will automatically deploy shape memory alloy snow chains at the push of a button, helping to improve safety in snowy conditions.

This technology takes advantage of the shape memory alloy’s ability to return to its original shape when an electric current is applied. During normal driving, the shape memory alloy located inside the wheel is compressed into the shape of the letter ‘L’ and does not contact the road surface. When the driver activates the function, an electric current is applied, causing the shape memory alloy to revert to its original profile; the material forms a ‘J’ shape, pushing the module out of the tire to make contact with the surface, improving grip, stability and safety on snowy roads.

If the surface of the tire is worn down to the height of the module in normal driving mode due to severe tire wear, drivers can easily recognize this degradation so as not miss the tire replacement cycle.

The technology is patent-pending in both South Korea and the U.S. Hyundai Motor and Kia plan to consider mass production of the tires after further technological development, durability and performance tests and regulation reviews.

Hyundai Motor and Kia Unveil Paradigm–Shifting 'Uni Wheel' Drive System to Revolutionize Future Mobility

• Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation present the ‘Universal Wheel Drive System’ (Uni Wheel) at ‘Uni Wheel Tech Day’ in Seoul
• New system integrates existing drive components to deliver excellent efficiency, power and durability without impacting ride comfort
• Improved packaging potential opens up avenues for greater driving range, passenger space and PBV development

Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation have unveiled the Universal Wheel Drive System — called ‘Uni Wheel’ — at ‘Uni Wheel Tech Day’ in Seoul, Korea. This paradigm-shifting vehicle drive system will revolutionize the design of future mobility devices.

Uni Wheel is a functionally integrated wheel drive system that dramatically improves available space inside an electric vehicle (EV) by moving the main drive system components to the vacant space within the wheel hub. In doing so, Hyundai Motor and Kia have designed a completely new structure for the drive system.

In internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles power is transmitted from the engine through the transmission and to the wheels via drive shafts and constant velocity (CV) joints. In EVs, the engine and transmission are replaced by a motor and reduction gear, but the final method of transmission to the wheels is the same.

Uni Wheel opens new possibilities and enables a flat-floor configuration by moving an EV’s reduction gear inside the wheel hub, locating a compact individual motor close to each wheel, reducing the length of the drive shafts.

The system frees up significantly more interior space compared with conventional drive systems, enabling future mobility products optimized for various applications, such as Purpose Built Vehicles (PBVs).

“We are pleased to showcase innovative ideas that could become game changers in the future mobility market,” said Jongsool Park, Senior Fellow at the Institute of Advanced Technology Development of Hyundai Motor Group. “We will perfect the technology so that customers can experience mobility in a completely different and new way.”

Advancing future mobility through new technology

Recent advances in electrification, autonomous driving and connectivity technologies are transforming mobility products into living spaces. Hyundai Motor and Kia’s focus on space utilization in future vehicle architectures will further boost customer value and provide owners with richer user experiences as a result.

Uni Wheel uses a special planetary gear configuration consisting of a sun gear in the center, four pinion gears on each side and a ring gear surrounding this arrangement. Power generated by the motor is transmitted to the sun gear, which in turn engages the pinion gears to rotate the ring gear. This is connected to the wheel to drive the vehicle.

Uni Wheel’s pinion gears are connected to each other to form two linkages, and this multi-link mechanism enables Uni Wheel’s multi-axis movement to allow a wide range of suspension articulation.

A conventional drive system using a regular CV joint suffers from a decrease in efficiency and durability as the angle of drive shaft deflection increases when travelling over bumpy, undulating surfaces. Uni Wheel can transmit power with almost no change to efficiency regardless of wheel movement, ensuring high durability and ride comfort.

When combined with electronic air suspension that can adjust ride height according to the driving situation, this can be increased to stabilize the vehicle on rough roads, or decreased for high-speed driving to improve power and stability.

By moving the reduction gear to the wheel hub, Uni Wheel’s high reduction ratio delivers a significant torque output and allows for a more compact electric motor. With independent control of up to four efficient electric drive units, Uni Wheel also allows for unprecedented levels of torque vectoring to boost dynamic ability and deliver high levels of steering and driving stability.

More efficiency, more interior space

The Uni Wheel concept frees up space within a vehicle that was previously unavailable to users. By relocating many components of the drive system to the wheel hub and downsizing the electric motor with no impact on performance, the extra space made available within the vehicle body can be utilized as additional cargo room, such as a larger trunk or a ‘frunk’.

It’s also possible to move away from conventional seating arrangements designed around the driver, creating new interior layouts and designs for the era of fully autonomous driving. Utilizing this space to improve battery capacity can also improve driving range, meaning users can achieve the range of a large EV without the physical size of the vehicle growing.

The developments Uni Wheel allows will also significantly increase passenger space. EV batteries are conventionally located low down in a vehicle’s body, which requires a raised ride height, often reducing passenger space by the volume of the battery. However, Uni Wheel optimizes battery packaging, with the loss of passenger space minimized.

This will be a valuable feature for PBVs, which need to maximize interior space by offering a low, flat-floor design. The flat-floor platform enabled by Uni Wheel allows for strong flexibility and scalability when it comes to PBVs, enabling the design of various body types depending on the intended use case.

Uni Wheel is highly flexible and easily adaptable to all types of EVs, including regular passenger and high-performance EVs, as the system can implement the same powertrain and reduction gear functions required for conventional EVs.

In addition to vehicles of various sizes, Uni Wheel can also be applied to other types of mobility devices, such as wheelchairs, bicycles and delivery robots. Depending on the requirements of these different forms of mobility, Uni Wheel can be scaled to work with wheel sizes as small as 4 inches and as large as 25 inches or more. In addition, Uni Wheel’s ability to move the rotation axis of the wheel makes it possible to create forms of personal mobility that can climb stairs as smoothly as an escalator.

Hyundai Motor and Kia are continuously verifying the stability, efficiency, and durability of Uni Wheel through various tests to perfect its development and will continue efforts to improve its efficiency by adjusting the reduction gear ratio, and upgrading the lubrication and cooling system.

Hyundai Motor and Kia have applied for and registered eight patents related to Uni Wheel in South Korea as well as the United States. 

10 Tech-enabled Parking and Automotive Solutions Startups Transforming The Industry

The automotive industry is no stranger to innovation. Over the years, groundbreaking technologies have revolutionised the way we drive and interact with vehicles. As we embrace the rapid advancements of the 21st century, the auto industry finds itself on the cusp of another transformative era. From electrification to autonomous driving, the industry is undergoing a remarkable evolution.

In this list below, we will explore ten innovative startups that are poised to reshape the auto industry as we know it. These cutting-edge advancements not only promise to enhance Thier driving experiences but also revolutionise the way we perceive and engage with automobiles. Below are the list (alphabetically) of 10 startups & companies that are transforming the auto industry.

Aarshvi Security System

The long-term goal of Aarshvi Security Systems is to offer its customers solutions and services. The business has contracts to provide specialised automated fire alarm systems, parking solutions, and electronic security solutions. They have extensive experience in this field thanks to their powerful and skilled team, which collectively has more than 15 years of industry experience.

The company has the best-in-class products and team to offer end-to-end solutions to BFSI, NBFC, corporate, industries, and retail thanks to his leadership and vision to expand services across the board. Because of its specialised solutions, the business is well established in the market.

Automovill

Bangalore-based Automovill, which was established in 2016 in India's Silicon Valley, provides a one-stop shop for all automotive services. For its customers, Automovill has adopted a wholly innovative and disruptive strategy to foster trust and transparency. With a shorter TAT for service, it aims to lower the ownership cost of the vehicle. Automovill enables the best possible experience with its technology-driven and 360-degree approach by bringing transparency, fostering trust, and reducing information asymmetry.

With its AI-based engine system, it links car owners with the best mechanics and garages. One of the Indian after-sales service companies with the fastest growth is Automovill. With 40 years of combined experience in technology, the Internet, e-commerce, and FMCG, including 12 years in Silicon Valley, Automovill has a very strong and reputable founding team

Expert Parking Systems

With decades of knowledge and experience in the real estate sector, Expert Parking Systems recognised the need to provide cutting-edge car parking solutions and established Expert Parking Systems.

In today's world, where the population and number of cars are rapidly growing, conventional parking methods are no longer practical. In a few locations in India, they construct, set up, and maintain parking facilities. They focus on finding solutions. Government-owned, commercial, and residential properties all require thoughtfully designed parking structures.

The company collaborate closely with developers and architects to produce highly adaptable products that are specially created for each project. Before starting the actual manufacturing process, purchase managers, development teams, and their design engineers collaborate to plan the specifics. It's a joint undertaking. The end user is completely satisfied with what they have; their experts manufacture and install foolproof car parking systems.

Get My Parking

The award-winning startup Get My Parking (GMP) was established in 2015 and now employs over 150 people on five different continents. GMP offers white-label parking apps, an IoT GateKit that retrofits and automates any parking barrier, and a potent cloud platform that establishes centralised digital control over a network of parking lots. GMP provides operators with essential interoperable parking technology.

With Plug-N-Play API integrations, GMP is leading the way in a number of emerging trends, including EV charging, automated parking, shared mobility hubs, and more. Over 3000 parking lots in 20 countries have the GMP Platform installed, and it has handled over 100 million transactions to this point.

Park+

Park+ is building an eco-system for car owners that will be a one-stop solution for all their needs. From parking reservations to challan payments, FASTag recharges to RTO-related information, real-time fuel price information to the nearest PUC centre search, they have a lot to offer. They also offer smart parking automation solutions to corporations, apartments, malls, hospitals, and other commercial establishments.

When Park+ was first launched, the company wanted to cut down on the time travellers had to spend locating parking spaces at various locations across the country. As they got closer to their users, it became clear that they needed to expand their horizons to include other car-related needs like insurance renewal, FASTag-related issues, challan payment, etc. In keeping with the axiom that "change will always be the only constant," they have now extended their services to include everything car-related and have only adhered to one straightforward rule: simplifying the process of owning a car.

Park 360

Your everyday mobility and parking situations are far from ideal. They believe that the situation will only worsen as parking spots become scarcer and the number of vehicles rises. They work with smart cities, governments, corporations, commercial complexes (malls, hotels, etc.), residential communities, and essentially any other businesses or entities to understand and develop solutions that are specific to their use case. It also gives users a real-time view of the parking infrastructure and increases transparency and security throughout the entire parking management process. They carefully plan the best parking, revenue, and cost models for each circumstance using sophisticated data analytics and a data-driven methodology.

ParkMate

In order to offer customers and businesses smart, hyperlocal, and on-demand parking solutions, ParkMate, India's first intelligent app-based platform, was founded in 2021.

Customers who use ParkMate's instant Drop & Shop service receive real-time confirmation of their parking location. Users of ParkMate can track a vehicle's movement in real time while the drivers and attendants are OTP-verified and GPS-tagged. The customer only needs to click "Get my car" when they are in need of their car, and it will be delivered to them in a secure manner.

The company provides a range of products and services, such as the Kavach system for apartment buildings and car dealerships and the Trishool system for parking Management. The FASTag + ANPR + UniPay system is integrated into ParkMate's three-tier Trishool system, which uses HD cameras, an integrated controller, and its own proprietary software to automatically scan licence plates and permit or log vehicle entry. However, ParkMate assumes the risk when a car owner parks with them; the owner does not. The company's mission statement is "With ParkMate, you drive. We park."

Parking Rhino

The modern parking management company ParkingRhino serves both customers and businesses. Their B2C app is available to users looking for parking spaces for their vehicles. The startup's smart parking platform, which was introduced in 2016, is used in more than 50 locations. Using a single POS mobile app at the points of vehicle entry and exit, ParkingRhino's B2B parking management platform enables parking contractors and businesses to manage their parking.

ParkingRhino can digitise a parking space in less than 60 minutes thanks to its straightforward design and consideration for the parking operator. Using connectors provided by the platform, boom barriers, CCTVs, parking sensors, and other types of new or used parking equipment can all be integrated.

Advanced versions of Park Rhino's product features include demand-based forecasting, predictive analytics, dynamic pricing, and a single-pane view across multiple locations. Anyone can look for parking using the B2C mobile app from ParkingRhino, which also contains all parking-related information, such as hours of operation, parking capacity, the presence of valet services, a car wash facility, etc. The technology is driven by their patented Location Decider algorithm, which, given a destination location, selects the best parking based on a number of real-time factors.

Secure Parking

Previously, parking lots were treated like commodities, with little variation in their use between different locations. Due to their background in marketing, they see a chance to develop a novel and more useful strategy based on treating a parking lot like a retail space and then maximising a site's potential by coming up with a unique solution for its management and promotion.

The company's guiding principle has been to carefully strike a balance between earning a profit and offering the best possible customer service. Achieving this has been one of the main reasons Secure Parking has grown to become one of the world's largest operators of parking facilities. The approach to secure parking has always been businesslike. It is predicated on the notion that each parking lot should be handled as a retail establishment because no two parking lots have the same requirements. In order to maximise the revenue and asset potential of each parking lot, they have created a number of distinctive systems and operating strategies.

Valet EZ

A smart parking and mobility solutions company called ValetEZ creates methods for controlling parking spots and removing the inconvenience that city drivers deal with on a daily basis.

The parking platform of Valet EZ can be installed on parking lots of any size and gives parking lot users and owners a real-time view, enhancing the overall experience with a high level of efficiency and dependability. A real-time view of parking infrastructure, transparency and security in parking charges and service delivery, flexibility in managing and accessing parking spaces, and data analytics on parking utilisation are all advantages of using their platform for users, parking space owners, and cities.

Moradabad-based ParkMate Launches UP Govt’s 1st FASTag Enabled Smart Parking

UP based AutoTech ParkMate launched Uttar Pradesh's first smart parking in Lucknow

The moradabad-based startup plans to make smart parking available across India in the next 2 years

Smart Parking Startup- ParkMate has successfully launched UP Govt’s first FASTag enabled Smart Parking with the help of Lucknow Nagar Nigam. The Moradabad based startup has an ambitious plan to automate major parkings of Uttar Pradesh on 1 platform in upcoming years. ParkMate’s smart parking facility will solve the problem of haphazard and illegal parking which will eventually ease the traffic congestion and will provide easier access for customers to the major markets. This will generate more economic opportunities for the cities.

ParkMate provides a seamless parking experience for both users, city administrations and businesses. 

Last year in September, ParkMate secured an undisclosed amount in seed funding facilitated through EvolveX, Global accelerator programme by We Founder Circle, an early-stage start-up investment platform. 

With ParkMate application, citizens of Lucknow will now be saved from the tedious task of searching or even visiting a parking lot. Through ParkMate’s application which is available on Android and iOS platforms, users can get their cars picked up and dropped off at the location of their choice.

ParkMate Parking Space

ParkMate Entry

“Traffic congestion costs the 4 major cities of India an economic loss of ₹ 1.4 lakh crore annually. More than 25% of traffic congestions happen due to parking congestion. Finding a parking space is getting more and more challenging with the increasing number of vehicles on the road. Despite of this, most multilevel car parkings of India are hardly working operating on their 30-50% occupancy. Whereas, surface parkings are over-occupied. ParkMate’s multi-dimensional services can solve all these problems. So, to end the culture of haphazard parking of vehicles, we have come up with sophisticated solutions that address all these concerns. We have a different approach than our contemporaries to solve this problem and we are glad that Uttar Pradesh’s Govt has given us a chance to showcase our services. This will further strengthen the honourable Prime Minister’s Vision of Smart Cities and digital India. Also ParkMate services are paperless which makes us the most ecofriendly and the only paperless parking company of India.,” said Dhananjaya Bharadwaj, Co-founder and CEO, ParkMate.

ParkMate is proud to be a part of this market which is majorly unorganized. The startup has introduced the DROP & SHOP service, which allows users to enter their parking location, where a dedicated valet will pick up the car and park it in a nearby authorized parking lot. ParkMate’s three-tier Trishool system offers an integration of the FASTag + ANPR +UniPay system which uses HD cameras, an inbuilt controller, and its in-house software to automatically scan licence plates and permit/log vehicle entry.

With ParkMate, the attendants are OTP verified and the cars are GPS-tagged so that users can track the car’s live movement. When the customer needs his car, he/she simply has to click on ‘Get my car’ and it will be delivered back safely wherever they want.

Website: https://parkmate.in/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ParkMateInd

Hero Motocorp Adds Tech-delight to the Passion, Launches Passion ‘XTEC’ With Host of Advanced ‘Connected’ Features

In keeping with its aggressive product revitalization strategy, Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters, today introduced the new Passion ‘XTec’.

Available at Hero MotoCorp dealerships across the country at an attractive price of Rs. 74590/-* (drum variant) and Rs. 78990/-* (disc variant), the Passion XTec comes with a 5-year warranty, reiterating the brand’s trust and reliability.

*(Ex-Showroom Delhi)

The new Hero Passion ‘XTec’ is a perfect combination of style, safety, connectivity and comfort. The motorcycle is packed with features such as the First-in-Segment Projector LED Headlamp, Full-Digital Instrument Cluster with Bluetooth Connectivity, SMS and Call Alerts, Real-Time Mileage Indicator, Low-Fuel Indicator, Side-Stand Engine Cut-Off and Service Reminder. The host of new segment-first features and the trust & reliability of the Passion brand, make the Passion XTec stand out over others in the segment.

Malo Le Masson, Head of Strategy and Global Product Planning, Hero MotoCorp, said, “The Passion XTec with its new features and a smart design is a compelling product that will excite the country’s youth. Our range of ‘XTec’ products such as the Splendor+ XTec, Glamour 125 XTec, Pleasure+ 110 XTec and Destini 125 XTec have received an overwhelming response from customers and we expect the Passion XTec to continue this trend.”

Ranjivjit Singh, Chief Growth Officer, Hero MotoCorp, said, “The Hero Passion is an iconic brand and enjoys massive customer trust for over a decade. With its new style and new attitude, the Passion XTec will appeal to the new age riders and with the latest technology features, it will set the benchmark for the segment. We are certain that the Passion XTec will enable us to further consolidate our leadership in the country’s motorcycle segment.”

The Hero Passion ‘XTec’

Designed for today’s generation, the performance-oriented and muscular new 110cc Passion XTec is loaded with an array of convenience, safety and utility features, which integrate seamlessly to offer a hassle-free and enjoyable riding experience.

Connectivity

With Passion XTec the rider can access vehicle and connectivity functions fast and conveniently. The first-in-segment full digital speedometer console with blue backlight offers Bluetooth connectivity, phone call alerts with caller name, missed call and SMS notifications along with the integrated USB charging port. It also displays phone battery percentage, real-time mileage indicator and service schedule reminder, and low fuel indicator.

Safety

Ensuring utmost safety for both rider and pillion, Passion Pro XTec has a side-stand visual indication and a ‘Side-stand Engine cut-off’. Additionally, the motorcycle also comes with an option of disc brake and a Combi Braking System (CBS) for better handling.

Design

The new Passion XTec features first-in-segment projector LED headlamps with best in segment brightness with 12% longer beam than the conventional halogen lamp. The new headlamp design also enhances the sportiness and aerodynamics of the motorcycle. The motorcycle has chromed 3D branding and rim tape that increases its premium appeal.

Engine

The new Passion Pro XTec comes with a 110cc BS-VI compliant engine producing a remarkable power output of 9 BHP @ 7500 rpm and torque on demand of 9.79 NM @ 5000 rpm for a high-performance ride. Delivering the brand promise of performance and comfort, the new Passion Pro XTec comes with the patented i3S technology for better fuel efficiency.