Hyundai Motor Group's Hydrogen and Robotics Tech Powers Genesis Le Mans Debut
Hyundai Motor Group deployed hydrogen fuel cell trucks and wearable robots to support Genesis Magma Racing's historic Le Mans Hypercar debut.
- 60%
- 56
- 175
What Happened
Hyundai Motor Group's hydrogen and robotics divisions provided crucial support for Genesis Magma Racing's debut in the 24 Hours of Le Mans Hypercar class, held June 13–14 at Circuit de la Sarthe. The GMR-001 Hypercar #19 marked a milestone for Korean motorsport, while behind the scenes, the XCIENT Fuel Cell Class-8 heavy-duty truck handled all freight and logistics with zero tailpipe emissions, and the X-ble Shoulder wearable robot reduced shoulder joint load for pit crew members.
First mass-produced hydrogen fuel cell heavy-duty truck
Currently operating across five European countries with a combined fleet of 175 units and cumulative driving distance exceeding 21.8 million kilometers.
60% reduction in shoulder joint load
Also decreases anterior and lateral deltoid muscle activity by approximately 30%, assisting crew members handling up to 56 tires per car.
Genesis also unveiled the Box Buggy Concept at Le Mans, a avant-garde paddock vehicle built on an advanced mobility platform featuring Hyundai Mobis's e-Corner system with steer-by-wire, enabling 90-degree wheel rotation for lateral crabwalking and 360-degree spins. The 160-horsepower concept served as a VIP shuttle and showcased Genesis's design DNA with a custom tan tartan interior.
Why this matters
This shows how advanced hydrogen and robotics technologies can be applied beyond road cars to make motorsport logistics more sustainable and pit crew work safer.
Terms in This Story
- Hypercar
- The top class of racing cars in the FIA World Endurance Championship, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
- e-Corner system
- A mobility technology that integrates steer-by-wire into each wheel, allowing independent wheel rotation up to 90 degrees.
- Fuel cell
- A device that generates electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, producing only water vapor as emission.
- Wearable robot
- An exoskeleton-like device worn on the body to augment physical capabilities and reduce strain.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.