'Hyundai Motor Company: Introducing Autonomous IONIQ Concept'

During the much-awaited press conference at Automobility LA (Los Angeles Auto Show), Hyundai Motor Company introduced their Autonomous IONIQ concept. Visually, the Autonomous Ioniq has a covered front grille with different rims, suggesting it's a full electric variant.

Some of the Autonomous IONIQ concept's features include a wide array of self-driving systems such as Smart Cruise Control's forward-facing radar and Lane Keep Assist cameras integrated with LiDAR technology-light imaging, detecting, and ranging --- which means, the car can see in real-time 3D; three cameras that can detect pedestrian proximity, lane markings, and traffic signals; Blind Spot Detection radar, which adds as an extra precaution when changing lanes; and its GPS antenna that can deliver location accuracy, road curvature, lane width, and more on Hyundai's high-definition mapping data from Hyundai MnSoft, CNET reported.

Furthermore, to accomplish the goal of incorporating all autonomous controls into existing systems and ensure seamless transitions between active and self-driving modes, Hyundai engineers took the production IONIQ and build features upon its capabilities; it now offers Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Warning, and Rear Cross-Traffic Assist.

The Korean automaker is also developing its own autonomous vehicle operating system. Their ultimate goal? To use a lesser computing power compared to their rivals, which would result to a low-cost platform that can lead to more affordable cars in the future, Carscoops reported.

Along with that, Hyundai is also debuting two autonomous Ioniq models at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this January. These cars are said to be able to handle pedestrian traffic, stop lights, stop signs and school zones, road construction and roadblocks, speed bumps, unleashed dogs, children roaming around, shopping centers, and even intersections without traffic signals.

There is no official word yet on when the first Autonomous Ioniq concept will be available to the mass market. Hyundai is currently testing two autonomous Tucson Fuel Cell vehicles, as well as three Ioniqs at their R&D center in Namyang, South Korea.