Hyundai trains AI for off-road driving and towing heavy trailers
Hyundai is developing AI-based driver assistance systems that can assess tyre grip, vehicle load and terrain difficulty. The new technology is intended to adapt the vehicle’s behaviour to changing conditions and help prevent overloading of the powertrain and chassis. Hyundai is initially focusing on the North American market, where off-road capability and heavy-duty towing are important selling points.
The car will assess tyre grip itself
A job advertisement from Hyundai’s American technical centre reveals that the company is seeking an AI-based control systems engineer to develop machine-learning solutions for next-generation Hyundai, Kia and Genesis vehicles.
The most interesting possibility is estimating the coefficient of friction between the tyres and the road surface without dedicated additional sensors.
The software could analyse information from existing sensors and use it to adjust traction and stability control. On loose gravel, in mud or on a steep climb, for example, the electronics could respond to wheel slip more precisely than before.
Hyundai calls one area of development terrain adaptation. The aim is not to replace the driver, but to make the vehicle’s control systems respond more appropriately to the situation.
Estimating trailer mass without extra equipment
Another important area of development concerns towing heavy trailers.
Hyundai wants the vehicle to be able to estimate the mass of its load and trailer using data from existing sensors. The electronics could use this information to adjust the operation of the engine, transmission and braking system.
Even more ambitious is the possibility of predicting component failures before they occur. Machine-learning algorithms could detect changes that indicate overloading and warn the driver of excessive strain on the powertrain, for example.
Such a solution would be particularly useful on mountain roads and when towing heavy trailers, where the thermal load on the transmission and brakes can increase rapidly.
Tucson shows where Hyundai is heading
Hyundai has already introduced some similar ideas in production vehicles.
The off-road-focused XRT PRO version of the new-generation Tucson uses the Smart Terrain Assist system, which assesses grip and the risk of getting stuck in real time.
The driver sees a three-colour assessment of terrain difficulty on the display. The vehicle can also maintain a selected off-road speed between 2 and 25 km/h, automatically controlling acceleration and braking.
The XRT PRO has up to 210 mm of ground clearance, 30 mm more than the standard Tucson.
The new AI development could expand the capabilities of such systems, but Hyundai has not confirmed which models will receive the enhanced technology or when.
Software is the next stage in off-road development
Hyundai is moving towards an approach in which a vehicle’s off-road capability depends not only on suspension, all-wheel drive and tyres, but increasingly on control software.
Toyota, Land Rover and Ford already offer similar off-road assistance systems. Hyundai’s potential advantage would lie in developing them further through machine learning, allowing the system to adapt to different loads and road surfaces.
In Europe, the technology could be of particular interest to SUV owners who tow trailers. However, there is no confirmation of when the new features will arrive in Europe or which models will receive them.
AI does not replace mechanical differential locks, proper off-road tyres or sufficient ground clearance. It may, however, help make more effective use of existing hardware. That is where the real value of Hyundai’s development work lies.
