Hyundai Previews Autonomous Future with Self-Driving Ioniq

Like other automakers, Hyundai is investing in self-driving technology.

Using its newest electrified vehicle as a platform, the Korean automaker rolled out the Autonomous Ioniq concept at the 2016 L.A. Auto Show. Hyundai was quick to highlight that the concept is one of the few self-driving cars currently in development that has a hidden LiDAR system in its front bumper, rather than on the roof. This way, it actually looks like a standard production car “and not a high school science project,” as Hyundai so aptly said.

The goal of the concept is to keep self-driving systems as simple as possible, so that they can be cost-efficient to implement, allowing it to be installed in future Hyundai models the average consumer can afford. To make this a reality, Hyundai used the production car’s Smart Cruise Control’s forward-facing radar, as well as the Lane Keep Assist cameras and integrated them with LiDAR technology. The company is also developing its own operating system, with the goal of using a lot less computing power to go with the hardware.

2016 L.A. Auto Show Coverage

Currently, the hidden LiDAR system can detect the absolute position of surrounding vehicles and objects and is complemented by the Forward Facing Radar, which detects the relative location and speed of objects in the vehicle’s forward path. There’s also a three-camera array that detects pedestrian proximity, lane markings and traffic signals, while a GPS antenna pinpoints the precise location of each vehicle. High-definition mapping data is provided by Hyundai MnSoft, delivering location accuracy, road grade/curvature, lane width and indication data. Lastly, there’s a Blind Spot Detection radar to make sure lane changes are done safely.

Hyundai will also bring a pair of  Autonomous Ioniq concepts to the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) next January. Those two vehicles will be driving up and down the streets of Las Vegas and will be offering media rides.

The company said it is currently testing three autonomous Ioniq cars and a pair of Autonomous Tucson Fuel Cell vehicles at its Research and Development Center in Namyang, South Korea.