Skip advert
Advertisement

Hyundai Tiger is a 4x4, four-legged off-roader for the moon

The Hyundai Tiger is an unmanned electric buggy with walking legs and is capable of heading to the moon

The Hyundai Tiger is a new extreme terrain concept vehicle created as a follow-up to the Elevate concept revealed by the company at CES 2019. Like the Elevante, the Tiger is defined by its use of sophisticated leg and wheel axles that enable it to tackle the most hostile environments. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

The first prototype of the vehicle is called Tiger X-1 (Experimental 1), and has been developed by a special wing of the Hyundai R&D team called New Horizons Studio, deploying cutting edge carbon composite printing techniques. 

Unlike the Elevate, the new Tiger concept has been envisioned as an Ultimate Mobility Vehicle (UMV) capable of operating and exploring completely autonomously. Remote human operation and observation is enabled through a sophisticated array of sensors and 360-degree directional controls. 

It’s built on a ‘modular platform’, though Hyundai does not go into any further detail. Instead, the company highlights the large loading area for transporting goods and aid packages. The articulation of the legs means that it can climb and descend extremely difficult landscapes while keeping its body and payload area almost completely flat. But it has been designed to operate via wheel movement as much as possible for the sake of efficiency with the legs only coming into play to tackle serious obstacles. 

Should the Tiger arrive at an insurmountable object or patch of terrain, it can call upon and dock with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The UAV can deliver the Tiger to the inaccessible spot while recharging the vehicle’s battery on the way. 

As well as offering up support and aid delivery in remote locations, Hyundai sees the potential for vehicles like the Tiger to be deployed in disaster zones as a first responder, and even adapted for use in Moon and Mars landings. 

The Tiger X-1 is unlikely to make the transition to reality anytime soon. However, Hyundai and Kia have revealed plans to develop and produce purpose built electric vehicles from 2022 onwards - highly specialised EVs designed for specific purposes and jobs, using a scalable all-electric platform. 

Take a look at Toyota's moon buggy concept...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Tokyo Auto Salon 2025: all the highlights and exciting new cars
Tokyo Auto Salon 2025 header image

Tokyo Auto Salon 2025: all the highlights and exciting new cars

TAS 2025 highlighted the latest in tuning, off-road accessories, and new cars...
News
14 Jan 2025
Hyundai unveils world's first holographic windscreen
Hyundai Mobis ‘Holographic Windshield Display’

Hyundai unveils world's first holographic windscreen

Vast head-up display that stretches entire width of windscreen revealed at CES and could be in production by 2027
News
10 Jan 2025
Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond
Best new cars coming soon - header image

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond

These are the biggest and most important new cars headed our way, from brands including Audi, BMW, Dacia, Ferrari, Ford, Skoda and more
Best cars & vans
1 Jan 2025
New Hyundai Ioniq 3 to bring unique style to crossover class
Hyundai Ioniq 3 exclusive image

New Hyundai Ioniq 3 to bring unique style to crossover class

Sibling to the Kia EV3 set to lower the entry-point to Hyundai’s successful Ioniq range, with modest specs and an affordable price
News
27 Nov 2024

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: new Ford Capri looks a lot less controversial at this price
Ford Capri - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: new Ford Capri looks a lot less controversial at this price

Rebooted Seventies classic is now an electric SUV for a low monthly outlay. It’s our Deal of the Day for 5 February
News
5 Feb 2025
Car Deal of the Day: sleek ‘n’ sporty Mazda 3 hatch at just £173 a month
Mazda 3 front corner tracking

Car Deal of the Day: sleek ‘n’ sporty Mazda 3 hatch at just £173 a month

Mazda’s high-quality family hatch might cost less than you expect with low initial payment and monthly fee
News
2 Feb 2025
Electric company car megatest: Tesla, BMW, Polestar, Hyundai and BYD head-to-head
Electric company car megatest - header

Electric company car megatest: Tesla, BMW, Polestar, Hyundai and BYD head-to-head

Drivers are spoiled for choice in the flourishing EV company car market, but which of our six rivals does the business?
Car group tests
3 Feb 2025

Find a car with the experts