A video conferencing monitor and table. Reclining first-class airplane seats suitable for personal work. This is Hyundai’s Universe Mobile Office. The Universe Mobile Office is a future mobility solution built on the PBV (Purpose Built Vehicle) concept that goes beyond the simple concept of a vehicle to transform the way we move through space.
On the 20th, Hyundai Motor Company held a 34km round-trip experience event starting from Seoul Grand Park in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, to Cafe The Ilma in Seongnam to celebrate the launch of the Universe Mobile Office.
With an overwhelming size of 12,520mm x 2,495mm x 3,520mm, this is a modified version of the highest model of the Universe. At first glance from a distance, it doesn’t seem much different from the standard Universe model. However, once you step inside, everything changes.
Inside, there are eight airplane first-class level seats that can fully recline, arranged in two rows, leaving ample space. As you pass the independent seats, there’s a meeting area equipped with a U-shaped sofa and a long table. The meeting area includes a video monitor, and when using a projector, a screen descends to separate the boarding area from the meeting area. There are no seat belts on the meeting area sofa; it can only be used while stationary.
Additionally, a refrigerator, storage space, and office equipment enhance the mobile office’s capabilities. Next to the monitors of the independent seats are two 220V sockets and two USB ports for easy charging of mobile devices. The independent seats also have USB charging ports, and there’s a table for using laptops, making it possible to conduct business while on the move.
The inner walls and floors of the bus are finished with veneer materials, and the bus curtains reflect traditional elegance with Hanji (Korean paper). Furthermore, the wheel arches of standard buses and the sunken aisles of typical 45-seat buses have been removed to create a flat floor, making movement inside much easier.
Hyundai aims to sell to companies with significant mobile work needs, particularly targeting potential customers who currently use vehicles like the Sprinter or Solati for mobile office solutions, emphasizing the availability of the Universe Mobile Office.
The Universe Mobile Office is produced with only the basic framework at Hyundai’s factory, while the remaining interior finishes are completed by specialized manufacturers. It takes two months to complete the interior finishes by these specialized firms.
The Universe Mobile Office is classified into various configurations including a 10-seater model with an 8+1+1 seat arrangement, a 13-seater with 11+1+1, and another 13-seater optimized for workspace expansion with a 12+1 configuration.
Hyundai stated, “We anticipate that some customers may prefer independent seating with less than eight seats, so we are planning to offer configurations with less than eight seats after reviewing regulations regarding commercial vehicles with relevant authorities.”
The test car of the Universe Mobile Office is priced at 585,320,000 KRW for the basic 8+1+1 seat version.
By: 이상진 daedusj@autodiary.kr