- Futuristic HCD-14 Concept Vehicle Reveals Hyundai’s Advanced Design and TechnologicalLeadership for Performance Sedans
- Eye-tracking Technology and Interactive 3-D Gesture Recognition Hint at Innovative FutureTechnologies for Premium Vehicles
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif., August 12, 2013 – Hyundai’s innovative and tech-laden HCD-14 Genesis Concept, which received international acclaim at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show, will again be center stage on the prestigious Concept Lawn at the 2013 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The HCD-14 Genesis Concept joins a handful of other futuristic concepts from the world’s leading manufacturers, including Aston Martin, Bentley, Lamborghini, Mercedes-Benz and BMW.
CONCEPT LAWN
The Pebble Beach Concept Lawn provides a highly differentiated staging venue within the Concours d’Elegance judging activities for the weekend. Concours attendees view the special vehicle concepts upon entry and departure from the grounds, giving them ample opportunity to consider future automobile development in the context of its gloried past. In recent years, the concept lawn has taken on special significance as a focal point for some of the most convention-shattering designs and advanced technologies under development.
Concours attendees frequently have the opportunity to interact directly with lead concept designers on the lawn for a vision of the future automobile’s unlimited potential. Every manufacturer’s concept submission is subject to rigorous Concours criteria for its overall design propriety and technological significance. The Concept Lawn configuration limits the total number of concepts to about 20 vehicles, making this a coveted privilege for automotive manufacturers. 2013 also marks the fifth year of Hyundai’s presence at Pebble Beach, frequently showcasing its premium models. This year, Hyundai will host its Genesis and Equus premium sedans on Peter Hay Hill from August 14-18.
“We’re both humbled and excited to represent the HCD-14 Genesis concept as a glimpse into Hyundai’s vision for the future,” said Chris Chapman, chief designer for Hyundai Design North America in southern California. “The HCD-14 speaks powerfully in terms of both premium design trends and advanced driving technologies, making it a perfect fit for the Concept Lawn venue. We’re looking forward to hearing opinions from some of the world’s leading automotive enthusiasts on this ground-breaking concept from Hyundai.”
EVOLUTION OF FLUIDIC SCULPTURE
HCD-14 Genesis conveys an evolution of fluidic sculpture design language with more precision than previous iterations. Detailed craftsmanship quality is conveyed via gemstone-like design surfaces. From the side view silhouette, classic rear-drive sport sedan proportions are conveyed by an extended dash-to-axle length, short overhangs, large-diameter wheels, sharply-tapered greenhouse, and short rear deck. Large wheels were developed from a mix of premium lightweight alloys with carbon fiber surrounding the voided areas of the wheel design.
REAR-HINGED REAR DOOR CABIN ACCESS
Opening the rear door reveals a rear-hinged configuration, with a single, oversized, brushed-aluminum hinge articulating diagonally from the rear door cutline. With both doors open, HCD-14 Genesis has an inviting and commodious cabin ambience. Inside the cabin, a double-cresting-wave center console design carries from the instrument panel through to the rear seats. This design-wave theme further influences the interior door handles and rear headrest hoods. Gauges and driver data are provided via an eclectic fusion of both analog and digital sources, with aviation-derived design cues. The driver-focused cockpit offers an asymmetrical center stack, with critical driving functions separated from passenger comfort functions.
ACTIVE DRIVER SAFETY TECHNOLOGY
While the HCD-14 Genesis exterior design makes a statement all its own, the driver’s environment is where its technological innovation breaks new ground. Ergonomics engineers eliminated the traditional center stack, developing an intuitive driver interface system that allows the HCD-14 driver to better keep his eyes on the road. Freed from traditional design restrictions, designers created a controls layout devoid of intimidating clusters of buttons and knobs. Using state-of-the-art driver eye-tracking and 3-D hand-gesture recognition, HCD-14 Genesis is able to recognize driver commands free from the distractions associated with manual controls. Once a specific feature is selected via eye-tracking, thumb controls or gesture recognition can be used to select navigation, infotainment, audio, HVAC, and even smartphone connectivity functions. This intuitive interface provides the driver with complete control while keeping his eyes safely above the cowl plane, using a windshield heads-up display (HUD) for minimal driving distraction. This proprietary interface represents Hyundai’s vision for future vehicle HMI and sets a new benchmark in active driver safety technology.
