MANILA: Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation presented the Universal Wheel Drive System, also known as “Uni Wheel,” at the Uni Wheel Tech Day in Seoul, South Korea.

Uni Wheel puts the main drive system parts in the vacant space within the wheel hub to improve the available space inside an electric vehicle (EV).

Providing significantly more interior space than conventional drive systems, Uni Wheel is positioned to be used in future mobility products optimized for various applications.

The drive system also aims to introduce new interior layouts for fully autonomous driving.

“We are pleased to showcase innovative ideas that could become game changers in the future mobility market. We will perfect the technology so that customers can experience mobility in a completely different and new way,” Hyundai Motor Group Institute of Advanced Technology Development Senior Fellow Jongsool Park stated.

A special planetary gear configuration is used by Uni Wheel. It is composed of a sun gear in the center, four pinion gears on each side, and a surrounding ring gear. The power produced by the motor is transmitted to the sun gear to engage the pinion gears and rotate the ring gear. This is connected to the wheel to drive the vehicle.

Uni Wheel can be integrated in any type of EV since it implements the same powertrain and reduction gear functions required for traditional EVs.

Currently, Uni Wheel is undergoing various tests to guarantee its stability, efficiency, and durability. Adjustments on the reduction gear ratio and upgrades on the lubrication and cooling system will be made to further improve its efficiency.

Hyundai and Kia have registered eight patents in relation to the Uni Wheel in South Korea, United States, and Europe.

Photos from Hyundai Motor Group

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