As part of an academic research collaboration with the Media Lab, Hyundai Motor Company recently unveiled a one-of-a-kind, miniature electronic vehicle that uses Emotion Adaptive Vehicle Control (EAVC) technology to support young patients at the SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital in Spain, as part of the "Little Big e-Motion" project.

EAVC is an artificial intelligence-based technology that optimizes vehicle environment based on information from both inside and outside the vehicle. It monitors facial expressions, heart rate and respiratory rate, and combines these readings with input from the vehicle including speed, acceleration, noise and vibration. The technology then processes the data utilizing machine learning to optimize the vehicle environment and actively controls vehicle systems such as lighting, climate, music and fragrance dispenser.

Hyundai donated this one-of-a-kind EV to SJD hospital in Barcelona, where it will be used to support the mobility of young patients from hospital bed to treatment room, which is considered one of the most stressful trips for the children.

The EAVC-equipped mini EV interacts with its young "driver" through five key technologies: Facial Emotion Recognition System, Breathing Exercise Belt, Heart Rate Monitoring Sensor, Emotion Adaptive Lighting, and Emotion Adaptive Scent Dispenser.

In addition to providing emotional support for the young patients, EAVC also assists the work of the medical staff at the hospital by informing them about the emotional state of the young patients without in-person interactions, which is especially useful in the era of Covid-19.