Hyundai Mobis to help Marines combat motion sickness

A Hyundai Mobis concept showcases anti-motion sickness technology in an amphibious assault vehicle, using synchronized monitors, climate control and sensory distractions like a cool breeze to mitigate motion sickness for Marines. (Hyundai Mobis)

South Korean automotive technology company Hyundai Mobis said Wednesday it has teamed up with the Marine Corps to develop a novel anti-motion sickness technology for assault vehicles to boost Marines' combat performance on rough terrain.

The potential technology is designed specifically for amphibious assault vehicles. Because these vehicles are used for transporting troops from ships to shore through rough, unpredictable sea and land conditions, motion sickness is a common issue that plagues Marines.

Hyundai Mobis' solution plans to use sensors to monitor and analyze the physical state of the passengers in real-time, including posture, heart rate and possibly brain wave activity. It could then adjust the vehicle's internal environment to counteract motion sickness, such as by altering in-vehicle monitors to align with the vehicle's motion, adjusting the cabin's temperature and humidity and providing sensory stimuli -- like a cool breeze -- to distract or soothe passengers.

Hyundai Mobis' initiative is part of a larger industry trend where global automakers are focusing on enhancing passenger comfort. The company has already developed a smart cabin controller that mitigates drowsy driving and motion sickness by monitoring the driver’s physical state. This partnership with the Marine Corps is expected to further refine this technology, adapting it to the harsh and varied conditions encountered in military operations.

The project is also Hyundai Mobis' first application of its motion sickness technology outside conventional vehicles, with potential future expansions into various transportation modes, including the defense, marine, and aviation sectors.

Hyundai Mobis plans to deploy this technology in the Marines’ assault amphibious vehicles by next year, gathering critical data to refine and perfect the system.

By Moon Joon-hyun(mjh@heraldcorp.com)