Source: Hyundai
South Korean car maker Hyundai has released its vision of what the future of electric mobility will look like under its all-electric “Ioniq” series in the form of a spacious, futuristic cabin concept.
The image – a spacious, modern caravan-like interior – hints at the transition of mobility not only to cleam, zero emissions propulsion but also a shift from cars as more than just a transport device to a lifestyle accessiory.
Not that this is anything new – cars have long been an emotive purchase, and Californian EV maker has pioneered the inclusion of video games and “modes” to suit anything from camping to sleeping babies to leaving your dog in air-conditioned comfort.
Hyundai’s new “Ioniq Cabin Concept” addresses the more mundane tasks of personal care as well as entertainment while on the road, presumably to allow drivers to save time during a daily commute.
It says there will be a range of customisable appliances and electronic devices that customers can pick and choose from to suit their own personal lifestyle needs.
A “clothing care” and “shoes butler” are just some of the in-built functions Hyundai wants to offer for inclusion in such a space.
It also envisions a huge curved TV screen in the roof of the space, which it says would be big enough for two people to view different content at the same time – with “personal sound zones” created via headrest speakers to separately listen to audio.
“The IONIQ Concept Cabin is one of a kind and an unprecedented approach to enhancing customer experience as it can be customized for different needs and lifestyles,” said Wonhong Cho, executive VP and global chief marketing officer for Hyundai Motor Company, in a statement.
“Dedicated EVs will enable us to revolutionise the experience Hyundai delivers to its customers, empowering them to do more in and out of the vehicles.”
Two more additions to the space designed for an era of infection-awareness are overhead UV lights and an automated”floor cleaning robot” will keep the vehicle’s interior clean and disfinfected, says Hyundai.
Hyundai says the first of its planned Ioniq models announced in August to offer the cabin concept options will be the Ioniq 5 that it plans to launch in 2021.
The Ioniq 5 will be a mid-sized crossover SUV that draws from the Hyundai 45, a retro-inspired yet futuristic electric car concept based on Hyundai’s very first concept car, the 1974 Pony coupé.
Bridie Schmidt is associate editor for The Driven, sister site of Renew Economy. She has been writing about electric vehicles since 2018, and has a keen interest in the role that zero-emissions transport has to play in sustainability. She has participated in podcasts such as Download This Show with Marc Fennell and Shirtloads of Science with Karl Kruszelnicki and is co-organiser of the Northern Rivers Electric Vehicle Forum. Bridie also owns a Tesla Model Y and has it available for hire on evee.com.au.
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