Hyundai·Kia launches transmission system considering driver behavior and signal systems
Developing into intelligent technology capable of 5G-based communication and driver behavior recognition

An ICT connected transmission system has been developed that communicates with traffic lights based on 5G communication or LTE and reflects driver behavior patterns in transmission control.

It preemptively recognizes road conditions that drivers may not have noticed and maintains the vehicle in an optimal state, providing improved fuel efficiency and stability.

Hyundai and Kia announced on February 20 that they have become the world's first to develop a forward prediction-type ICT connected transmission system that enables vehicles to independently recognize road geometry and traffic conditions and automatically shift to the optimal gear ratio in advance.

The ICT connected transmission system operates on the principle of controlling the transmission by consolidating signals sent from various ICT devices such as 3D navigation equipped with three-dimensional precision road maps, cameras for smart cruise control, and radar through intelligent software. Currently, approximately 40 core technologies have been filed for patent both domestically and internationally during the system development process, and Hyundai and Kia plan to apply this technology to newly launched vehicles.

This technology begins by collecting information from various devices, and the following are transmitted to the TCU (Transmission Control Unit): ▲road elevation and curvature, road type, and emergency situations from the 3D navigation ▲distance between vehicles and relative vehicle speed from the forward radar ▲lane and visual information from the forward camera.

The TCU receiving the signals predicts the optimal transmission scenario that matches real-time driving conditions through artificial intelligence algorithms, and then appropriately changes the transmission gears according to the results.

As a result of testing the ICT connected transmission system on actual roads, compared to conventional vehicles, shift speed during cornering was reduced by approximately 43% and brake operation was reduced by about 11%, improving driving fatigue.

Additionally, when rapid acceleration is required to merge onto the highway, the driving mode automatically switches to Sport mode at the highway merging position, and after entering the highway, it automatically returns to the original driving mode, demonstrating safety.

Furthermore, the vehicle independently determined speed bumps, downhill slopes, and speed limit change positions on the road and activated engine braking, while detecting distance from the preceding vehicle through forward radar and automatically adjusting the transmission.

Hyundai and Kia confirmed through test driving from the Namyang Research Institute to the headquarters in Yangjaedong, Seoul that the forward prediction transmission mode operated at a frequency of approximately 31%.

Jeon Byung-wook, research fellow at the Intelligent Powertrain Control Research Lab of Hyundai and Kia, stated, "While technologies such as Smart Drive Mode that automatically change transmission modes according to driver behavior have been applied in the past, a technology that automatically shifts according to road and traffic conditions is unprecedented. As automobiles evolve beyond simple means of transportation into smart mobility, the integration of advanced technologies such as ICT and artificial intelligence into traditional automotive fields like powertrains is increasing," he added.