The new technology ensures that there is ample legroom for passengers to stretch out when the vehicle is driving itself, as well as reducing the risk of unintentional pedal activation when the driver is not paying attention. The patent was filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) in 2021, but was recently published via the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
While the concept of folding pedals and sliding pedal boxes is not uncommon, traditionally pedals fold away in the event of a crash, and sliding pedal boxes are the reserve of high-end supercars. However, Hyundai's new invention focuses on removing the pedals from the cabin when a car engages in self-driving mode, requiring no input from the driver.
The gas and brake pedals are mounted on a sliding rail, which hides them away when the autonomous driving mode is engaged, leaving ample legroom for passengers to stretch out. The driver can still take control of the vehicle in a Level 4 car, but the autonomous driving functions will be geofenced. Once manual driving is engaged, the pedals slide back to their original position, or the driver can adjust the pedals to their liking.
The main aim of this technology is safety. With Level 4 autonomy, no concentration is required from the driver, meaning there is a real danger of unintentional pedal activation, which could lead to a crash. Hyundai's solution is to remove the pedals entirely when not in use, rather than storing them elsewhere, such as sliding forward and hiding nearer the seat.
As many modern cars, particularly EVs, now use drive-by-wire connections for electronic throttle bodies and the like, there is no need for a physical connection, meaning the pedals themselves act as nothing more than an electronic control interface. This allows them to be moved out of the way entirely.
Hyundai is aiming to reach Level 3 autonomy, following legislative permissions granted to Mercedes-Benz in the USA, and this new tech is aiming further down the line for when Level 4 autonomy arrives. It is possible that when that happens, Hyundai's dual-joystick controls will also be implemented in some models, including a successor to the Hyundai Ioniq 5.
Source: Carbuzz