Through the road information provided by navigational systems, this technology activates within 500 m of a target point on average. When the navigation signals the presence of a school or playground zone, the vehicle lowers itself and softens the suspension mode for a better ride experience.
The use of this technology allows an SUV vehicle to adjust its height up to 10 cm. The lowered height is particularly useful when crossing windy bridges, minimizing the effect of wind and ensuring a stable ride. On the other hand, this system raises the vehicle height at a railroad crossing or near a speed bump, which reduces the amount of vibration and shock that reach the car from the road surface.
Hyundai Mobis has already completed the system’s evaluation in real-life traffic scenarios with real vehicles and roads, such as school and playground zones, speed bumps, railroad crossings, highway ramps, and reaching the intended destination.
In 2012, Hyundai Mobis mass-produced electronically controlled air suspension (front and rear wheels), which keeps the vehicle at an ideal height regardless of the number of passengers or the amount of load, for the first time in Korea. The main feature of this convergence technology is the further improvement of cutting-edge auto component technology to the point where it enables predictive control based on navigational map information on what is ahead on the road.
“The air suspension technology that can predict and react to the driving conditions ahead will provide road safety as well as optimized ride comfort when passengers are taking a nap or watching a movie,” a representative from Hyundai Mobis said, while adding “an air suspension incorporating an independently developed camera sensor is also in the works for the next year.”