Hyundai Motor Group revealed on Thursday that the successful debut of Genesis Magma Racing in the hypercar class at last month’s 24 Hours of Le Mans was bolstered by support from the group’s hydrogen logistics and robotics division.
At the forefront of this support was Hyundai’s Xcient hydrogen electric truck, which utilized an eco-friendly hydrogen fuel cell system to transport Genesis Magma Racing’s equipment without any carbon emissions.
Operating a racing team demands extensive logistics, encompassing everything from testing equipment to spare parts and precision engineering tools.
The Xcient, the world’s first mass-produced hydrogen fuel cell heavy-duty truck, boasts both robust performance and efficiency. Its key advantage lies in its ability to operate without emitting carbon dioxide during transit.
Currently, 175 of these vehicles, developed for various specialized purposes, are in operation across five European countries, including Switzerland, Germany, and France.
In addition, Hyundai Motor and Kia’s robotics lab deployed their industrial wearable robot, the X-Bell Shoulder, to the racing site.
This innovative device, which reduces shoulder joint load by up to 60% and decreases anterior and lateral deltoid activation by about 30%, was utilized by maintenance personnel for loading and unloading tires and equipment.
To put this in perspective, each tire for the GMR-001 hypercar weighs approximately 13 kg (about 28.6 pounds). Maintenance crews must handle up to 56 tires and various heavy equipment repeatedly, which can lead to significant physical strain.
Away from the race track, Genesis unveiled its Box Buggy concept for the first time. This vehicle was tasked with VIP transportation, shuttling between the fan village and various locations within the Le Mans 24-hour event grounds.
Luc Donckerwolke, Chief Design Officer of Hyundai Motor Group, stated that it supported Genesis Magma Racing’s motorsport operations at the 24 Hours of Le Mans by deploying various cutting-edge technologies. The hydrogen-based logistics system and wearable robots significantly enhanced operational efficiency at the race.
In a notable achievement, the Genesis Magma Racing team’s hypercar, the GMR-001 No. 19, successfully completed the top-tier hypercar class at the 94th Le Mans 24 Hours, held on the La Sarthe circuit in France on June 14.