MobED: A NextGen Mobility Robot Platform Built For Advanced Adaptability and Scalability
- Hyundai Motor Group
- 2026.01.15
- 분량7min
- 조회수 4,194Views
MobED’s production model—with an innovative drive wheel setup and a posture-control mechanism that delivers startling mobility and maneuverability—has been unveiled for the first time at an international robotics exhibition. MobED started as a concept model revealed at CES 2022 (Consumer Electronics Show), then enhanced with Hyundai Motor Group mobility technology and now Robotics Lab’s first headliner is ready for its proper introduction.
Hyundai Motor Group is expanding decades of accumulated mobility know-how into the robotics space to realize the vision of “Progress for Humanity”. The goal is to go beyond mobility on the roads and enable all members of society to freely enjoy the benefits of mobility technology anytime, anywhere. First revealed in December 2021, the Robotics Lab’s first hardware platform, MobED (Mobile Eccentric Droid), is a prime example of mobility and robotics technology brought together in one package. Back then, MobED drew major attention for its ability to move freely across a wide range of terrains and environments, made possible by its in-wheel motor architecture— where motors are embed-ded inside the wheels—and an eccentric wheel design.
Then, back on December 3rd, at International Robot Exhibition 2025 (iREX) held at Tokyo Big Sight in Japan, MobED’s production model was revealed publicly for the first time. After three years of product development, Hyundai Motor Group aimed to broaden MobED’s usable scope by adding autonomous-driving capability and a mounting-rail structure, while keeping the original concept and core technologies intact, while aiming to dramatically broaden.
As one of the world’s major robotics exhibitions, iREX is where you can take the temperature of the global robotics industry in real time. At its first-ever iREX appearance, Hyundai Motor Group introduced the production MobED and showcased six variants equipped with the 'Top modules’- fitted for outdoor delivery, video capture, riding, and more. During the demo fleet tackled obstacles and demonstrated real-world use cases, drawing strong interest from attendees.
MobED’s ability to move freely over obstacles during iREX tech demos comes down to a clear engineering priority: universal versatility, built to work anywhere. To deliver unrestricted mobility, Hyundai Motor Group developed a posture-control mechanism based on the DnL (Drive-and-Lift) module and an eccentric structure.
The DnL module is built around four independent drive wheels, and the motor system mounted at each wheel internally can adjust the body’s ride height—unlocking flexible control over pitch and roll. In this in-wheel setup, the motors handle everything: power delivery, steering, and full-body posture control. Unlike a conventional automobile, MobED also uses an eccentric wheel structure where the wheel axis is offset to one side—an approach that ties together strong surface adaptability, stable driving behavior, and a platform design that’s ready to scale.
With DnL modules and eccentric-structure posture control, MobED delivers a body-control strategy and motion profile that makes different from a typical four-wheeled mobility. For example, MobED can keep itself level even on rough slopes or terrain with large height differences. The oversized wheels relative to the body help, but the real linchpin is a Quadratic Programming optimal control algorithm, which precisely manages posture in real time.
MobED also applies Semi-holonomic Driving Control, allowing it to maintain balance while moving flexibly in multiple directions. That capability helps it drive smoothly and stably even in complex urban environments where people and objects are densely mixed. Backed by these technologies, MobED can clear grades of ±10° which is a typical underground parking-ramp, and it can climb curbs up to 20 cm (about 7.9 inches).
To ensure customers can choose the product for their intended use, Hyundai Motor Group will offer MobED in two versions: MobED Basic and MobED Pro. MobED Basic is designed as an R&D platform for building autonomous-driving robots—an experimental robot platform where developers or research organizations can integrate their own autonomous-driving software and hardware. MobED Pro, meanwhile, is equipped with AI-based algorithms and fused LiDAR-and-camera sensors to deliver autonomous-driving capability as a complete model.
Both MobED Basic and Pro can be operated via a separate wireless controller. Using a touchscreen controller that displays operating status with 3D graphics on a large screen, even users without any technical expertise can control MobED easily and intuitively. It also supports designing customer-specific operating scenarios on-device—without routing through a server—positioning it to deliver a high-level tech experience across a wide range of real business environments.
In particular, MobED Pro’s autonomous-driving capability is the key factor that makes the production model advanced than the concept model. Drawing on its mobility-technology expertise, Hyundai Motor Group applied autonomous-driving functions optimized for MobED’s mechanical characteristics and control technologies. A MobED Pro has GPS, two 3D LiDAR units, three cameras, eight radar sensors, and an IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit)—enabling rapid recognition of people and obstacles and supporting safe, efficient movement in both indoor and outdoor spaces.
MobED Pro operates using a path-generation algorithm that selects the optimal route and relies on 2.5-dimensional local map information. That allows it to leverage terrain height data and drive stably even in unpredictable environments. Hyundai Motor Group also put a thorough redundancy structure in place to further strengthen safety—for example, if there is an error in a sensor, other sensors can substitute its function to help prevent incidents caused by hardware faults.
Another defining trait of MobED is its impressive scalability. Thanks to a mounting-rail structure on the upper platform, MobED can carry modules designed for a wide range of purposes. It also includes dedicated connection ports that allow direct use of MobED’s battery and controller. That’s exactly why Hyundai Motor Group displayed concept models equipped with top modules at iREX: to emphasize real-world practicality through functional demonstrations—and to spotlight MobED’s expandable platform concept.
For instance, in logistics and everyday work support, MobED Pick and Place were shown as a paired system: moving small cargo such as parcel boxes to a destination, then freely loading and unloading them. While a MobED with a robot arm lifts boxes easily, another MobED with a slide descends the boxes close to the ground stably. If commercialized, this concept could potentially replace delivery tasks in narrow alleys or areas where vehicles struggle to enter—thanks to its highly versatile body structure.
Equipped with a delivery box, MobED Delivery is another concept model specialized for short-range deliveries in urban areas. Inside the module, there are cupholders and storage space, and displays mounted on both sides of the delivery box can show promotional content, delivery information, and notifications. In particular, building on MobED’s precise body-control technology, it can transport food safely—and upon arrival, it lifts its body and automatically opens the delivery box to support convenient item pickup.
Hyundai Motor Group also recreated a variety of terrains and industrial environments within its booth—curbs, ramps, speed bumps, and more. Using autonomous-driving and posture-control technologies, MobED demonstrated task execution flows tailored to each model’s purpose. Notably, it also showcased a self-charging function: after completing work or depleting the battery, MobED can travel to a charging station and recharge itself.
In addition, Hyundai Motor Group presented a wide range of concept models—including MobED Golf, which performs a golf caddie role; MobED Urban Hopper, which can be used as personal mobility similar to an electric scooter; and MobED Broadcasting, equipped with a broadcast camera—highlighting broad potential use across daily life and industry. Another MobED advantage is that, thanks to mounting-rail compatibility, consumers don’t need to purchase a different specialized robot every time their purpose changes.
Looking ahead, Hyundai Motor Group plans to open APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) for key functions in the form of an open data platform—expanding MobED’s application domain and increasing freedom for service development. This is expected to create a development environment where developers and partners can build tailored services directly or integrate flexibly with existing systems. With this expandable hardware-and-software structure, Hyundai Motor Group intends for MobED to be more than robotics hardware—positioning it as a service platform that can be customized to match customer lifestyles and enterprise needs.
MobED is a model that fundamentally expands the mobility limits of small mobility devices. Its significance goes beyond incremental performance gains—it’s meaningful because it redefines the very way movement can work. Hyundai Motor Group believes advancements in robotics like this can reduce physical constraints and make the spaces and methods of everyday life more efficient and smarter. That direction aligns directly with the core theme of iREX 2025: “a sustainable society through robots.”
In particular, the reveal of the production MobED stands as the first tangible product realization of Hyundai Motor Group’s envisioned future of human-robot coexistence. Rather than stopping at a technology concept display, it presents a direction where robots expand human roles across daily life and industry—and help address social challenges alongside people. After making its debut at iREX 2025, MobED is slated to begin full-scale sales starting in the first half of next year. It marks the moment Hyundai Motor Group and Robotics Lab’s vision of a future mobility society takes its first real step forward.
