Hyundai’s four-legged robot rescue car is peak CES

Hyundai executives at CES Monday talked about future autonomous cars, connected devices, “cars as a living space,” and more, but everyone just wanted to see the model of the funky walking robot-car that was silently crouched on the stage.

When it finally did emerge, we were introduced to the Elevate, a walking electric car concept, that can be used for rescue missions in snow, post-earthquake rubble, high mountain peaks, and more. It has noble intentions, but it’s very spider-like despite only having four limbs.

Hyundai called it a “last 100 yards” solution, a play on the “last mile.” It’s been dubbed a “Ultimate Mobility Vehicle,” or UMV. It can walk on its four “legs” or convert into drive mode with wheels instead of legs. It can even handle stairs. Whatever it is, it’s more creature than vehicle.

Hyundai explained how it has both mammalian and reptilian walking gaits and can climb a 5 foot wall or cross a 5 foot gap — all while keeping rescued passengers inside the cabin. Hyundai claims the Elevate body will keep people level and not jostle them around.

Not even off-road vehicles can do all this. 

Luckily this is just an idea, so the design elements can (and hopefully will) change so that stranded people aren’t completely freaked out when the Elevate scurries over to save them.