Hyundai Touts Advanced Air Purification System

Hyundai Motor Group says it has developed a “smart” purification system that continually monitors and enhances passenger cabin air quality.

A laser-based sensor measures and rates air quality on a four-part scale: Excellent, Good, Fair and Poor. If quality is deemed to be Fair or Poor, the filter is activated until an Excellent rating is achieved.

By comparison, Hyundai says current purification systems typically operate only for a set period when activated. Such systems turn off automatically, regardless of the car’s air quality.

Hyundai says its new technology also can detect and eliminate smaller particulates. This improves the filter’s efficiency rate from 94% to 99%, according to the carmaker. The filtration system also can automatically close vehicle windows to speed the purification process.

Occupants can view quality levels via a 16-bar digital display on the infotainment screen. The sensors and purifier fan motors are designed to work in extreme heat and cold weather environments.

The new system currently is being evaluated for use in future Hyundai and Kia vehicles.