While CES technically kicks off when the show floor opens on Tuesday, Jan. 7, the two preceding days are rife with previews and press conferences offering up hints at what to expect from tech's biggest show of the year. While Monday's conference schedule kicked off with LG at 8 a.m. PT, Hyundai's wild concept didn't take center stage until 3 p.m. PT.
We had originally hoped to stream Hyundai's press conference live, but we were unable to do so because of unforeseen technical limitations. But nothing could stop us from bringing you what could be the wildest concept to land at CES in years.
What to Hyundai brought to CES 2019
The Hyundai Elevate has to be seen to be believed. Sure, it can function like a normal car, but between the body and the wheels lies a set of mechanical "legs" that can lift the body to the sky. Hyundai imagines this mobility as a boon for first responders, climbing five-foot walls and spanning five-foot gaps in an effort to save victims of natural disasters as quickly as possible.
It's also electric, with four motors living inside each of the wheels -- that compactness, by the way, prevents additional mechanical linkages further complicating the already complicated mechanical legs. Think of it like an AT-AT from Star Wars, except it's used for good and not to promote the whims of the Empire.
Editors' note: Updated January 7 at 2:10 p.m. PT to indicate that there will not be a livestream.
