The automaker says it can be used to improve the handling of sports cars, too.
Hyundai Mobis, the parts and service arm of the South Korean manufacturer, has announced a useful automatic height adjustment system that may be used in the future to protect electric vehicle batteries.
The Electronic Leveling Control (ELC) system has been co-developed with Hyundai Motor Company. Prototype vehicles are already trialing the technology, which Hyundai Mobis says enables the driver to adjust vehicle height by up to 2.36 inches upwards or downwards to suit the driving conditions.
ELC uses sensors to monitor the vehicle height and factors in things like gross vehicle weight and driving speed, allowing the car to automatically control its ride height at a moment's notice. The driver can, of course, do this manually as well.
The automotive firm says ELC can be used in an array of driving environments, including highways, rough roads, and parking lots. There are many benefits to this technology, including the ability to protect the EV's battery pack.
On unpaved roads or uneven surfaces, the driver can raise the ride height and lift the battery pack out of harm's way. This will prevent the undercarriage from scratches and other damage that can be sustained on anything other than perfect roads.
However, if you're cruising on a super smooth highway, the driver can also lower the ride height. This would reduce air resistance and therefore increase the electric range. Hyundai claims the handling will be greatly improved as the center of gravity is even lower than usual.
Hyundai notes that this technology can also be applied to purpose-built vehicles (PBVs). These are designated electric commercial vehicles from Hyundai and Kia, and ELC will bring several benefits. Taxi drivers, for example, will be able to raise and lower the ride height to help passengers enter or exit the vehicle with ease.
In the case of a delivery vehicle, ELC can also maintain the correct ride height, regardless of the load it's carrying. That will aid handling and road holding, even if the vehicle is slightly overloaded.
“ELC is a technology that has been developed to be applicable not only in the EV and the PBV market but also in high-performance cars. We expect ELC to attract a huge amount of attention in the future mobility market as it will materialize different new features,” said Hyundai Mobis' Park Jung-hun.
As mentioned, Hyundai is still testing this technology, so it's unlikely that we will see this debuting on the Ioniq 5 anytime soon. However, it's very possible that we could see ELC on a future electric performance vehicle, such as the upcoming Ioniq 5 N.
Hyundai Mobis has introduced some incredible innovations in the past few months. The tech subsidiary has created a proximity touchscreen that can anticipate the driver's needs, which could make for safer touchscreen use on the move. This sounds very similar to Mercedes' Zero Layer function which was recently made available for slightly older models.
The division has also worked with Luxoft to create the Mobis Infotainment System (MIS), which the company has previously described as “the most advanced system.”
Mobis says as many as six displays can be included in the system, including rear-seat entertainment displays and a passenger display. The setup makes use of Qualcomm's GEN 4 AP which provides an immersive and intuitive experience. Impressively, MIS also features virtual personal assistants for occupants.
Keyword: Hyundai's Electronic Leveling Control System Increases EV Range And Protects Pricey Batteries