Hyundai, Kia Revolutionizes EV with Universal Drive System - “Uni Wheel”

Nov 30, 2023 07:57 PM EST

BLUE LUXURY CAR — (Photo : PEXELS/MEGAPIXELSTOCK)

Hyundai and Kia launched their newest entry in the revolutionary age of electronic vehicle arena. These car manufacturers call this latest development the Universal Drive System. Moreover, this newest offering focuses cutting-edge EV motor design.

Wheel Modified: EV's Universal Drive System

Hyundai and Kia made a groundbreaking announcement on a significant Wednesday, unveiling an innovative electric vehicle (EV) motor design known as the Universal Drive System or Uni Wheel. This revolutionary technology represents a major advancement in the EV industry by bridging the gap between traditional motors and in-wheel motors.

Unlike conventional setups where motors are placed within the wheel, this design strategically positions them closer to the wheels, fundamentally transforming the EV landscape. At its core, the Uni Wheel relies on a precisely engineered planetary gear system, featuring a centrally located sun gear and four pinion gears on each side, all enclosed within an interconnected ring gear linked to the wheel.

This development addresses long-standing packaging challenges in the EV sector and promises enhanced efficiency in constant velocity axles. Hyundai and Kia's joint effort is poised to usher in a new era of EV performance and practicality, propelling the industry into a brighter future.

Green Car Reports stated this EV new motor design draws the difference between conventional and in - wheel motor.

While the concept of gear reduction in hubs is not entirely novel, the Uni Wheel system addresses a different challenge compared to traditional portal axles commonly used in off-road vehicles. Rather than lifting the vehicle, this system seeks to transfer gear reduction from the EV motors, effectively moving a significant portion of related hardware into the wheel hubs. Autoweek reported about this potential.

This breakthrough has the potential to not only improve the efficiency of Hyundai and Kia's EVs but also find applications in various mobility solutions such as wheelchairs, bicycles, and wheeled robots, making it a versatile and promising advancement in the automotive and mobility industries.

Innovation or Impractical

Motortrend looked closer in Hyundai and Kia's Uni Wheel and suggests questions if it's a good change or a totally weird one. The report called in an intriguing replacement for ubiquitous CV joint. Further questioning if this newest offering is practical.

Motortrend gave its two cents about the Universal Drive System. It claimed that the ubiquitous CV joint works fine. It efficiently transmits power from the engine or motor to the wheel, ensuring smooth operation even when the wheel experiences vertical or rotational movement, without any issues of sticking or seizing.

This system is straightforward, durable, and has a proven track record. While there are slight design variations, they all function seamlessly.

This boxy structure incorporates a slot for the central sun gear to move vertically and two arms containing four planetary gears each. These gears are responsible for transferring power to a ring gear that links to the wheel. While it may seem intricate, Hyundai and Kia claim it comes with numerous advantages. However, Motortrend believe there may be some drawbacks or areas that require further information for a comprehensive assessment of this system.