HYUNDAI AND KIA STUDY NEW WAYS TO CONTROL CABIN TEMPERATURE

By Éric Descarries

The ideas mentioned here are not necessarily new, but South Korean automakers Hyundai and Kia may be the first to apply them. The aim is to control the extreme heat and cold that invade vehicle interiors.

The first technology involves a nanocooling film created by Hyundai that could reduce outside temperatures by up to 12 degrees Celsius under the sun. The second would be a radiant heating system that would save up to 17 % energy to reach the required temperature. The heating element would emit heat towards the occupants with a temperature of some 110 degrees Celsius without burning them, thanks to an envelope that would produce infrared rays and include a burn prevention system.

Finally, the third system would be a metal-coated heated glass that removes moisture or frost from the windshield during the cold winter months. This metal covering is transparent and invisible, and can even block at least 60 % of solar energy in summer, helping to keep a vehicle cool in summer.

PICTURE CREDIT: Hyundai