Hyundai and Kia introduce UWB-based Vision Pulse safety system

Hyundai Motor Company and Kia have introduced a cutting-edge driver safety technology concept known as Vision Pulse, which utilizes ultra-wideband (UWB) signals to detect obstacles that are not directly within the line of sight. This innovative system is designed to enhance collision avoidance in intricate urban and industrial environments where traditional cameras and sensors may have limitations.

For readers of eeNews Europe who are involved in automotive electronics, ADAS architectures, or vehicle connectivity, this announcement offers valuable insights into the potential positioning of UWB as a supplementary sensing layer. It also demonstrates how existing in-vehicle hardware could be repurposed to support additional safety functions without relying solely on LiDAR or radar technology.

Utilizing UWB for Enhanced Obstacle Detection

Vision Pulse relies on UWB modules that are integrated into vehicles to communicate with nearby objects equipped with UWB-enabled devices, such as smartphones, wearables, or trackers. By analyzing signal time-of-flight, the system can determine relative positions and issue alerts when a collision risk is identified.

Hyundai and Kia claim that this approach can achieve position accuracy of up to 10 cm within a 100 m radius, even in visually obstructed scenarios like blind intersections or adverse weather conditions. The companies assert that the detection accuracy remains above 99 percent in nighttime or challenging conditions, with communication latencies ranging from 1 to 5 ms.

This technology is designed to seamlessly integrate through additional UWB modules, although vehicles already equipped with Hyundai and Kia’s Digital Key 2 infrastructure would not necessitate extra hardware. By leveraging UWB technology, the companies aim to reduce reliance on more expensive sensors while meeting functional safety objectives.

Advanced Algorithms and Diverse Applications

To enhance practical usability, Hyundai and Kia have developed predictive algorithms that can track multiple fast-moving objects simultaneously. This feature is intended to address situations involving pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles that may move unpredictably around the vehicle.

Beyond just passenger vehicles, the companies envision a wide range of potential applications in industrial mobility and emergency response scenarios. This includes collision prevention in warehouse environments and the ability to locate individuals trapped under debris during disaster recovery operations.

Pilot testing of this technology is already underway in industrial settings. Since 2025, trials have been conducted at Kia’s PBV Conversion Center in Hwaseong to reduce accidents involving forklifts. Further trials are planned in collaboration with the Busan Port Authority to assess interactions between industrial vehicles and workers.

Hyundai and Kia emphasize that Vision Pulse is still in the pre-development stage, and any potential application in series-production vehicles is currently under evaluation. The ongoing advancements in UWB technology and the promising results from pilot testing suggest a bright future for this innovative driver safety system.