The deployment of a novel “Motion Sickness Reduction Integrated Solution” in the Marine Corps’ amphibious assault vehicles. (Image courtesy of Hyundai Mobis)
SEOUL, Dec. 28 (Korea Bizwire) – In a pioneering collaboration aimed at boosting military efficiency and comfort, Hyundai Mobis, a leading South Korean automotive parts company, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Republic of Korea Marine Corps to implement motion sickness reduction technology in military vehicles.
This groundbreaking partnership, announced on December 27, marks a significant stride in the integration of advanced vehicle healthcare technology into military operations.
The MOU signing ceremony, held at the Marine Corps Headquarters in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, was attended by key figures from both organizations, including Lee Seunghwan, the head of Hyundai Mobis’ Advanced Research Sector, and Park Seung-il, the Director of the Force Planning Office of the Marine Corps Command.
The centerpiece of this collaboration is the deployment of a novel “Motion Sickness Reduction Integrated Solution” in the Marine Corps’ amphibious assault vehicles. This solution is a synergy of hardware and software, specifically tailored to withstand the harsh operational environments of armored vehicles.
It encompasses an array of sensors to analyze vehicle movement and environmental factors, along with control solutions to moderate the interior conditions of the vehicles.
To enhance the comfort of occupants, the technology includes displays allowing all passengers to easily access driving information (visual stimulation), and climate control modules that stabilize passengers through temperature and humidity regulation, coupled with a cooling breeze (tactile stimulation).
The primary objective of this initiative is to alleviate the motion sickness experienced by marines during amphibious operations and rough terrain traversal, thereby reducing discomfort and improving combat performance.
Research conducted by the United States Naval Postgraduate School found that approximately 25% of marines exhibited motion sickness after an hour in an armored vehicle, with this figure rising to 40% after two hours.
This condition not only causes discomfort but also hampers operational capabilities such as mobility, shooting accuracy, and communication post-landing.
The integration of advanced vehicle healthcare technology into military operations. (Image courtesy of Hyundai Mobis)
Hyundai Mobis plans to tackle these challenges by integrating its autonomous driving and passenger perception technologies into this motion sickness reduction solution.
Through the real-time monitoring of passengers’ posture, heart rate, brainwaves, and other physiological signals, and then stimulating senses like vision, hearing, olfaction, and touch, the technology aims to minimize motion sickness onset and reduce its severity by up to 40%.
The significance of this cooperation extends beyond the traditional scope of vehicle technology. Hyundai Mobis emphasizes that this is the first application of its motion sickness reduction technology in a broader mobility context, not just limited to conventional vehicles.
There is potential for this technology to be expanded into defense, maritime, and aviation sectors, among other transportation mediums.
Hyundai Mobis and the Marine Corps plan to gather meaningful data from the application of this technology in amphibious assault vehicles by the first half of next year.
This data will be used to refine the technology further, systematically analyze the causes of motion sickness, and ultimately enhance its effectiveness in combat training scenarios.
Lee Seunghwan from Hyundai Mobis highlighted the significance of this motion sickness reduction technology as a new form of vehicle healthcare, designed to endure even the most challenging driving conditions.
He expressed a commitment to further develop and expand this technology, not only in the defense industry but also in maritime and other future mobility sectors, reinforcing Hyundai Mobis’ role as a leader in innovative automotive solutions.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
