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We check out Hyundai's HRL exoskeleton, a robotic mobility suit for paraplegics

Hyundai makes some of the largest vehicles in the world – to wit, 185,000-ton ships with 56-foot high engines making power at 84 rpm – but its R&D division has found enough human-factor synergy with autonomous vehicle development that they're now working on robotic exoskeletons. We were recently introduced to two of these devices: the HRL designed to increase mobility and therefore quality of life for paraplegics; and the WEX, designed to assist in repetitive-motion lifting. Both of these machines are powered by replaceable lithium-ion battery packs with a 4-hour run time and 40-minute recharges. The HRL robotic legs are designed for people 64 to 71 inches tall and less than 250 pounds. The aluminum segments are adjustable in centimeter increments over a 10-cm range, and the 22.4-inch width means it would fit in many long-haul aircraft forward seats. With the 4.4-lb battery pack, the HRL weighs about 41 pounds. There are six 50:1 reduction-gear actuators, two pelvic actuators rated at 224 pound-feet of peak torque with 60-degree range of motion, and two hip and knee with 112 lb-ft peak, 180 degrees and twice the rotational speed of the pelvic motors. Twenty sensors control it all with default speed of just under a mile per hour and a top speed of 1.5 mph, and step length can be adjusted by smartphone via Bluetooth. One of the accompanying crutches has four thumb buttons much like a video-game controller, though they're experimenting with simpler inputs including a joystick. The crutch communicates with the leg unit over a few feet of distance via Zigbee wireless protocol, with security layers added for both obvious reasons and to ensure two users in the same vicinity won't transmit to the other's unit. An HRL can help you sit, stand, walk or climb and descend stairs; it will also stand on its own, simplifying the process of putting it on. Your correspondent is outside the design height limits so rather than do any impromptu CG research we deferred to colleague Chris Davies of Slashgear for impressions wearing it: "It grips tightly, the support would be comforting, and it delivers good posture. It does take some getting used to – when it first lifts up a leg to move it forward you do feel like you're going to fall over – but once you establish a gait and stop over-thinking it becomes much easier." Indeed, he never fell over and most who tried established a rhythm within a few minutes, if not a 1.5-mph sprint.

Hyundai N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo Concept looks ready for Le Mans

It's Bugatti versus... Hyundai? Yes, the revered hypercar manufacturer is facing some stiff competition for coolest car at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show from the affordable South Korean brand, and it's because both companies chose the German show to introduce their Vision Gran Turismo Concepts. While we'll leave Bugatti's entry to another scribe, we're going to spill plenty of ink on the new N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo, Hyundai's entry to the eponymous video game's well-received Vision program. While so many of these concepts have some basis in reality, Hyundai has tossed out its production vehicles in favor of a far racier concept. Yes, the N 2025 looks better suited to the 24 Hours of Le Mans prototype class than an auto show stage. Details are scarce – automakers don't usually give out a lot of info on powertrains and the like in these Vision GT cars – but Hyundai says it "highlights sustainable technology," which makes us think that there's some kind of hybrid drivetrain underneath that aerodynamic body. Perhaps the coolest thing about the N 2025, though, is that it's not hard to imagine it on a race track of the future. Hyundai has only ever really played around in the World Rally Championship, but with this Vision GT car, it shows the South Korean brand may have the chops for a much higher tier of racing. Check out the photos from Frankfurt and let us know what you think about this latest Vision Gran Turismo car. Hyundai Motor's New High Performance Sub-brand 'N' Takes Center Stage at Frankfurt Motor Show - The sub-brand N will build new momentum for an exciting driving performance and provide emotional driving experience for customers - The latest motorsport challenger and two dynamic concepts will also be introduced at the Motor Show August 26, 2015 – Hyundai Motor will showcase its high performance sub-brand N at the Frankfurt International Motor Show 2015. The result of intensive testing and product development, the sub-brand N builds on Hyundai Motor's successful motorsport experiences and technology capability to drive future performance-oriented and race-track-capable models forward and bring 'the most thrilling winding road' fun to customers who truly love cars. The N builds on not just Hyundai Motor's continued advancement as a primary competitor in World Rally Championship (WRC) but also on the company's dedication and investment to create striking and pioneering high performance cars.

Hyundai offers discounts to owners done with dirty VW diesels

For Volkswagen owners that aren't satisfied with getting a payout from the company to make up for dirty emissions, and need to rid themselves of their polluting machines, Hyundai may have a solution. The South Korean automaker is now offering Friends and Family Pricing Plus on new Hyundais for owners of 2.0-liter diesel Volkswagens. A Hyundai spokesperson said it's "an alternative to potentially orphaned diesel owners that will be entering the market for a new vehicle." This discounted pricing plan, as listed by a dealer in Tampa, Florida, starts with the gross dealer invoice price, which includes destination and advertising fees. From there, the buyer gets $1,250 off the purchase price, as well as 3-percent off of the MSRP, excluding destination charges. Also, any current Hyundai incentives can be added to the Friends and Family Pricing discounts. A list of the eligible VW models is below: 2013-2015 Beetle and Beetle convertible 2010-2013 Golf 3-door hatchback 2010-2015 Golf 5-door hatchback 2015 Golf SportWagen 2009-2015 Jetta 2009-2014 Jetta SportWagen 2012-2015 VW Passat 2010-2013, 2015 Audi A3 These incentives certainly make the prospect of a new Hyundai rather attractive, especially for VW owners with that sweet settlement money burning a hole through their wallets. The question is, will owners of these cars find any current Hyundais they like as much as their VWs? Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. News Source: Courtesy Hyundai of Tampa, Hyundai via CarsDirectImage Credit: Sebastian Blanco Green Hyundai Volkswagen Emissions vw diesel scandal