Hankook Design Innovation

2016 Hankook Tire Design Innovation 'Connect to the Connected World'

Design Innovation is a project that realizes the infinite possibilities of a tire resulting from an earnest discussion to creative and realistic alternative to future driving. The theme in 2016 is "Connect to the Connected World." It predicts the changes in mobility in future mega cities and presents a vision of future mobility through tires.

Changes to mobility in the future, starting with the evolution of tires.

In the era of car sharing, self-driving and connected cars, we have predicted vehicle and driving environment changes. We have constructed comprehensive scenarios(general roads, alleys, stairs and more)for self-driving and emergency vehicles in future mega cities, and have suggested tires in a variety of concepts.

When future-oriented ideas meet Hankook Tire's global technology.

Five futuristic concept tires were created by incorporating futuristic ideas of the University of Cincinnati and global technology of Hankook Tire. We have simultaneously combined design, technology, and new culture as a product of design in the Discovery for Future Driving through tires.

• Magfloat

  The Magfloat, which uses magnetic field extension and rotation principle, is a single user mobility that can move freely at a low speed of 20km / h or less and can be used indoors.

• Flexup

  The Flexup makes it possible to move freely even when the stairs are encountered while driving on the road through a principle of divided treads that expand or contract. It is a futuristic single user mobility that can freely turn corner on the flat ground by using the tilting principle when skiing.

• I-Play

  This two wheel mobility maximizes the efficiency and cornering in the urban car sharing system. Flexible suspension structure minimizes the volume during the standby mode. It is a single user mobility that can realize an optimum performance even at high speed and cornering by changes of the wheel angle.

• Shiftrac

  In cities that are becoming increasingly sophisticated and dense, we have built tires for police cars that are agile and easy to drive-in. A tire that allows strong cornering and fast lane change through block shifting of skating principle pushing outwards.

• Autobine

  The Autobine is a self-driving bus concept in which the body is expanded and contracted while the tires are automatically attached and detached according to the number of passengers. This is an intelligent tire that detects the weight of the car and attaches itself to the bus body..

2014 Hankook Design Innovation 'A Great Challenge for a Great Change'

Design Innovation is a project that recognizes the unlimited possibility and capability of tires through deep thoughts on creative, yet realistic, alternatives for future driving.
The main theme of 2014 was "A Great Challenge for a Great Change". This presented the vision of future driving through new tires and considered what special role a tire can undertake amidst severe climate change due to global warming.

The Future of Driving Discovered in the Evolution of Tires

The project approaches driving not only from the perspective on vehicles, but also from the fundamental concept of driving whilst keeping its slogan “Discovery for Future Driving” in mind.

Amidst environmental changes that are difficult to anticipate, the project considered how a tire can achieve the best driving performance while resolving issues on its own.

Tires, unlike vehicles, are the core elements that directly connect the driver to the road meaning they are influenced by the conditions of the road. To respond to the geographical issues caused by abnormal climates, three concept tires were developed especially for desert terrain, heavy rain and heavy snow.

Future-Oriented Ideas meet the Global Technology of Hankook

The three future-oriented concept tires, Boostrac, Alpike and Hyblade, are the products of futuristic ideas from the Graduate School of Pforzheim students in Germany together developed with the world-class technology of Hankook. The concept tires successfully combined design, technology and new culture.

Boostrac

Applying a variable tread block structure to this tire produces enormous drive force. The tread block expands in all directions, which enables a dimensional grip that is highly effective in desert terrain. The additional ground clearance produced by the tire also achieves outstanding rough terrain driving performance.

Alpike

The circumference expansion structure of this tire improves rough terrain driving performance due to additional ground clearance. The additional tread produced by tread expansion achieves outstanding traction. The sharp studs exposed between the expanded treads allow high driving performance even in snowy and icy road conditions.

Hyblade

The blade structure of the tire tread facilitates perfect water draining during wet surface driving. Even when submerged, the waterwheel principle and additional resistance of the side spokes on the tire produce great driving force.

Hankook's Project with University of Cincinnati

Hankook and University of Cincinnati joined together to create a project with the theme ‘new tires for the future’.

TilTread

Revolution of Sport tire.
Tiltread provides dynamic cornering by tilting through the non-pneumatic tires without unnecessary tread wear and prevents blowouts.

1. Non-pneumatic tires
Resilient polyurethane airless tire prevents blowouts.

2. Three discrete motors
Adjusts speed of each tire when cornering.

Extreme cornering

A maximized contact ratio and dispersion of surface tension occurs through a tilting system which provides dynamic but stable cornering.

Motiv (Off Road TIre)

Exhilarating adventure

Motiv is the most flexible tire to run in extreme conditions and blowouts are not a concern.

Variable Blocks

Flexible polyurethane blocks move separately according to surface shape.

Tilting Center Hub

Provides ultimate grip from the flexible chamber and expanding tread.

eMembrance

Fuel Efficiency

Less road contact reduces rolling resistance and uses less energy.

Full Grip

Both sides of the rim extend the tread for excellent grip and cornering performance through wider contact.

Mag-trac

Mag-trac is a smart tire that breaks the frame of a tire. Empty spaces through magnetic fields allow cars to move comfortably and quietly.

Standby

Repulsive forces between same poles make it stand comfortably.

Rolling

Opposite poles by instant current makes it roll.

Exhibition in SEMA Show 2012

During the SEMA Show 2012 in Las Vegas, Hankook showcased the innovative future tire design mockups from its 'The Way to the Future' Design Collaboration with UC.