The Hyundai Motor Group has announced it will introduce two new electric vehicles in 2025, based on the new eM and eS electric vehicle platforms. The eM architecture is being developed for use across all EV segments and promises a 50% improvement in range when compared to the current batch of electric vehicles. The Ioniq 5, for example, can travel up to 303 miles on a single charge, meaning future models should be capable of at least 450 miles of travel.

What's more, the eM platform is being designed with Level 3 or higher self-driving technology in mind as well as OTA software updates (but more on that later). The eS platform, however, is being developed as a "skateboard" for PBVs, or purpose-built vehicles. These are vehicles that will be pressed into duty as delivery trucks, or even taxis. 2025 is when Kia-branded PBVs will also leave the production line for the first time.

"These new platforms are evolving under Hyundai Motor Group's 'Integrated Modular Architecture,' which will lead to further standardization and modularization of core components of electric vehicles, such as batteries and motors while offering advantages in sectors additional to electric vehicles," said Hyundai's Paul Choo.

The Integrated Modular Architecture has untold benefits. Moving to this system will force Hyundai to standardize key EV components, such as batteries and electric motors. This will allow the brand to expand its electric lineup quickly, reduce costs and, hopefully, offer affordable EVs to consumers.

Elsewhere, the Korean giant is looking to integrate the vehicle controller. In the past, software systems needed individual upgrades for each controller, in order to improve the various vehicle functions. However, the integrated controller offers an elegant solution. The number of controllers will be greatly reduced, "by integrating the lower-level electrical components managed by top-level controllers."

This will remove obstacles in vehicle development and allow for certain models to be optimized for certain markets with ease. What's more, certain features can be added and performance can be improved.

"Hyundai ... chose to implement 'Domain centralized architecture,' which structures groups and integrates controllers throughout the vehicle into four areas, Comfort, Driving, Infotainment, and ADAS. This architecture significantly reduces development complexity and enables software updates to be carried out effortlessly without any requirement to manually modify the controller," said the automaker's Hyung Ki Ahn.

Hyundai is also working with Nvidia to improve its self-developed Connected Car Operating Systems (ccOS). The Group says this is the key to taking the lead in "transformative global mobility solutions." Nvidia is collaborating with Hyundai, and will load an optimized ccOS onto Nvidia Drive, which is a high-performance processing chip.

Keen on leading every possible segment, the company is also looking to advance its position in the autonomous vehicle sphere. "This year, the Group will apply an advanced Highway Driving Pilot (HDP) on the Genesis G90, which is a Level 3 technology for autonomous driving based on the second-generation integrated controller," said Woongjun Jang. "The Group is also developing its Remote Parking Pilot (RPP) for Level 3 autonomous driving."

To move forward in this segment, Hyundai is developing a third-gen integrated controller to advance autonomous driving tech. This will allow for more efficiency and faster computation, and eventually become the basis for mass-produced vehicles with Level 3 self-driving capabilities, as well as the "commercialization of Level 4 and Level 5 autonomous driving levels in due course."

In the meantime, we have something else to look forward to. From 2023, all new vehicles launched by the Hyundai Motor Group will be capable of receiving Over-The-Air (OTA) updates. By 2025, all the brand's vehicles will be software-defined. For example, owners will be able to upgrade the performance and functionality of their cars at any time. Hyundai says this will maintain the vehicle's residual value, and it should give customers a new experience each time.

This isn't only limited to electric vehicles either, as gas-powered models will be equipped with this feature as well. It seems the automaker is taking a leaf out of BMW's book and plans to offer Feature on Demand services from next year. Hyundai says this will give customers the freedom to purchase "functions and features that meet their needs and tastes, and the freedom to create vehicles that best match their lifestyles."