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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.

Zipcar adds roof racks for nature loving urbanites

Hauling a bicycle, surfboard, snowboard, or a pair of skis can be a pain. Their size makes them awkward to carry, and a good roof rack can be expensive and cumbersome to install. If a thief decides that they need the rack (or what's on it) more than you, you're looking at a loss of several hundred dollars, or at the very least damage to your car a comprehensive insurance claim. Ask me how I know. Zipcar has the solution. The car sharing company has teamed up with rack and cargo manufacturer Yakima to supply roof rack equipped rentals in 17 North American markets. In the US, Zipcar customers will have the option between a Subaru Impreza or a Subaru XV Crosstrek equipped with a Yakima roof rack. Canadian customers can rent a Hyundai Elantra. Fine choices, but it seems like a missed opportunity to revive the old Volkswagen Jetta Trek edition. The Yakima mounts on the cars are adjustable and can hold two bikes, six skis or four snowboards, or two surfboards or paddleboards. Rates, as always, vary based on use. This isn't the first time Zipcar has offered Yakima bike racks for their vehicles for those outdoor enthusiasts that choose to live car free. Back in 2011, the company outfitted a number of vehicles in its New York City fleet with complimentary racks and New York State park passes. Related Video: News Source: Zipcar Green Hyundai Subaru Transportation Alternatives ridesharing zipcar

Recharge Wrap-up: Elio unveils E1A, Hyundai UK prices Ioniq

Russia could launch a hyperloop project as early as December 2016. Hyperloop One recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Summa Group to explore the possibility, but now, Moscow's Deputy Mayor and head of transport Maxim Liksutov says that the project will begin by the end of the year. "In the next few years we'll see a major breakthrough in the development of technologies which will facilitate our lives," says Liksutov, speaking at the Moscow Urban Forum. "Hopefully, hyperloop technology will be developed, and, as far as I know, the pilot project will be launched in December. We will see how the theory works in practice." Read more at Electrek, or learn more from RT. Hyundai has revealed specifications and pricing for the Ioniq EV and Hybrid for the UK. The Ioniq Hybrid SE will start at GBP19,995 (about $26,093 as of this writing), with the Hybrid Premium and Hybrid Premium SE starting at GBP21,795 ($28,442) and GBP23,595 ($30,791), respectively. The Ioniq Electric starts at GBP28,995 ($37,838) for the Premium trim level, placing it in competition with the Nissan Leaf, while the Premium SE starts at GBP30,795 ($40,187). The Ioiniq Electric should be also be eligible for a discount of GBP4,500 ($5,872) through the UK's Plug-in Car Grant. Hyundai will announce prices for the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid before it goes on sale in 2017. The Ioniq Hybrid goes on sale on October 13, 2016, with the Ioniq Electric beginning a limited rollout before expanding sales to all UK dealerships in 2017. Read more at Electrek, or in the press release from Hyundai. India is launching a bus route fueled by 100-percent biodiesel. In an effort to help reduce air pollution (with the added benefit of saving on fuel costs), the Karnataka State Road Transport Corp. will operate the country's first all-biodiesel bus between the cities of Bangalore and Chennai. Last year, India's Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas removed its 20-percent biodiesel restriction on bus operators. Read more from Biofuels International. Elio Motors has built its first E-Series test vehicle, dubbed the E1A. Elio is touting the unveiling of its test car as a major milestone toward the launch of a fuel-efficient, three-wheeled production vehicle with a target price of $6,800.