Kia Corp and HMG Announce New Uni-Wheel BEV Platform
In recent years, the Kia Corp has become a bit of a revolutionist in the electric automotive industry. Most battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) from Kia and its parent group Hyundai Motor Group (HMG) currently ride on an Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP). Changes to this platform are already underway in an effort to enhance the driver-passenger experience. A new concept for BEV design and architecture recently proposed by Kia Corp and HMG is the Universal Wheel Drive System — or “Uni Wheel” – maximizing passenger and cargo space with a flat-floor design.
Said to revolutionize the design of future mobility devices, especially BEVs, this new BEV architecture changes the current main drive system components from the body of the vehicle to the vacant space within the wheel hub. This new drive system opens new possibilities and enables a flat-floor design when the design takes a gear most BEVs come with, called a reduction gear, and places it in the wheel hub. By doing this, it allows for the motors to be placed closer to the wheels, which can lead to better control and driver-response time.
This doesn’t just apply to BEVs. The Kia Corp has been very invested in the production of purpose-built vehicles (PBVs) in recent years, building the E-FOREST production facility dedicated to PBVs. By turning interior cabins into living spaces, other options become possible with a flat-floor design. Combine that with an electronic air suspension that can adjust ride height and increase stability depending on the driving conditions, such as rough roads or high speeds. A good example of how this PBV design can be utilized: think of a mobile hospital room, where patients with immediate intense care needs can be treated while on the road. Paramedics are helpful, but what about life-saving surgery thanks to a PBV that has the space and stability needed for such delicate work? That’s life-changing – literally.
“We are pleased to showcase innovative ideas that could become game changers in the future mobility market…We will perfect the technology so that customers can experience mobility in a completely different and new way.” – Jongsool Park, Senior Fellow at the Institute of Advanced Technology Development of Hyundai Motor Group
The design of this new BEV architecture seems to be pretty mechanical, which may cause some confusion, because this is supposed to be a new BEV system, shouldn’t it all be electric? Well, it looks like a miniature robot transmitting power to the wheels, and everyone knows robots run on electricity and or/batteries. That’s just science. So, this is still considered to be BEV architecture, and matching the “starlight” pattern of recent Kia BEVs featuring an available Star Map LED pattern across the front grille, this new BEV propulsion system is shaped like the solar system. One central core (the sun gear in the center), a ring gear (planetary orbit), and four pinion gears on each side of the sun gear (planets?). Basically, the motor transmits power to the sun, which in turn rotates the planets, and causes planetary orbit, and therefore circular motion is created for the wheels to drive the vehicle.
It looks very mechanical from a technical perspective (above), but the flat-door concept images are promising (below). HMG also shares ideas for autonomous driving, able to create new interior layouts for stronger and smarter computers to handle the sensitivity of human transportation. Lately, it’s been one step forward and two steps back for autonomous driving in the media, always running into a traffic jam or error whenever things are looking good. Other applications include various wheel sizes for other types of mobility devices, such as wheelchairs, bicycles, and delivery robots that can benefit from the Uni Wheel design.
Sounds like an interesting concept that can definitely change the interior look of BEVs for the near future. Every automaker is aiming for big news between 2025 and 2030, and we’re going to keep an eye on all new major developments. If you want to stay up to date, follow along with us on Miami Lakes Automall social media.