They did it. The crazy bastards finally did it. When people ask ‘Has science gone too far?’, we can finally answer ‘Yes.’ They put goddamn legs on a car.
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Say hello to the Elevate, a concept car unveiled by Hyundai at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show. The Elevate is an electric car with its four wheels mounted on the end of independent legs which would allow it to traverse difficult terrain.
Image: Hyundai.
John Suh, vice-president of Hyundai’s Cradle, the division which designed the Elevate, said he envisioned it being used by first responders and people with disabilities:
When a tsunami or earthquake hits, current rescue vehicles can only deliver first responders to the edge of the debris field. They have to go the rest of the way by foot. Elevate can drive to the scene and climb right over flood debris or crumbled concrete. . . . This technology goes well beyond emergency situations. People living with disabilities worldwide that don’t have access to an ADA ramp could hail an autonomous Hyundai Elevate that could walk up to their front door, level itself, and allow their wheelchair to roll right in. The possibilities are limitless.
Hyundai claims that the Elevate could climb over five-foot walls, step over five-foot gap, and drive with its wheel 15 feet apart.
At this stage, the car exists very much as just a concept, but it’s a very, very cool one.
