Not all superheroes wear capes; some of them are tiny, cute kiddie cars equipped with artificial intelligence. The Hyundai mini EV is officially one such superhero.
Officially previewed at the end of October, Hyundai has finally lifted the veil on its smallest EV to date, a 45 concept-inspired kiddie ride fitted with Emotion Adaptive Vehicle Control (EAVC) technology. It is now the star of a 6-minute short film that shows how it’s being used to aid in transport to the treatment room at SJD Barcelona Children’s Hospital in Spain.
Considered the most stressful period for a child, the trip from hospital bed to treatment room becomes much easier with help from the mini EV. This sounds like a cliché phrase at this point, but Hyundai went to great lengths to ensure that it’s true. EAVC is AI-based technology that optimizes the vehicle environment based on the driver’s mood while also allowing medical personnel to assess and monitor the state of the child without direct contact.
The car monitors facial expressions as well as heart and respiratory rate, and uses these readings to offer an estimate on how prepared the child is to head into treatment. It also uses the readings to try and improve the child’s mood by using music, lights, scent dispenser, and even blowing bubbles. Hyundai identifies five EAVC technologies and showcases them in the video: Facial Emotion Recognition System, Breathing Exercise Belt, Heart Rate Monitoring Sensor, Emotion Adaptive Lighting, and Emotion Adaptive Scent Dispenser.
The 6-minute film tells the story of a little girl scared of heading into treatment, who is eventually able to go through the doors with a little help from the pint-sized car. It’s way more efficient at expressing how this tech is being deployed for a greater use than all these fancy words you just read. By using speech, music, and light, as well as the breathing belt and the scent dispenser, the mini EV is able to relax the girl and inspire in her the courage she needs to face whatever lies behind the doors of the treatment room.
Hyundai says the one-off vehicle has been donated to the hospital, where it’s already being used by young patients on their way to treatment. To be sure, footage of them is included at the end of the short film. Next time someone complains about how technology is dehumanizing, alienating, and the worst thing ever, show them this. Also, bring a box of tissues, just in case.
Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends. Full profile
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