Hankook's newest futuristic concept tires

As one of the South Korean tire brands, Hankook Tire does not wants to miss to be participant on the world's prestigious automotive events to showcase the latest tire products and the future tire concepts they have.

And at the 2018 Essen Motor Show, they brought 2 of 3 futuristic tire prototypes named Aeroflow, Hexonic, and HLS 23. Those three of future tire prototypes are the winning works of the 2018 Design Innovation project.

The three futuristic concept tires of Hankook Tire, ie HLS 23, Aeroflow and Hexonic. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2A9wgJZ)

As we all know, that Hankook Tire always holds the Design Innovation Project periodically in every two years, and cooperates with prestigious design schools. And this year's project was held with the theme "Extending Future Life beyond Mobility" and in collaboration with the Royal College of Art UK.

Participants were asked to create a new tire concept that can accommodate the use of autonomous driving technology (Auto Pilot) which is commonly applied to the autonomous vehicles, while proposing new experiences for future life.

Then all of participant designs were thoroughly evaluated based on empathy for consumers, attractiveness, implementation based on the principles of persuasive techniques and the like. And the result, Aeroflow, HLS 23, and Hexonic were chosen to be the winner's works. Let's see one by one the three future concept tires as follow:

1. Aeroflow

Aeroflow is a future racing tire that said to give maximum downforces. The fact that downforce is the main focus during the development of ideas is what makes these tires become unique, due to the downforce is usually only studied in relation to the car body.

Aeroflow is a future racing tire that said to give maximum downforces.(Picture from: http://bit.ly/2BzaS0r)

Aeroflow has a wide dimension with slick tread, even it can be increased in width by sucked air into the turbine chamber. It confirmed the turbin fans will help create a compressive force if needed at various speeds or when doing manvuer while on the corner.

2. Hexonic

Hexonic is a smart tire for autonomous public vehicles. The participants saw autonomous cars as a habit for major cities in the future and make the development of smart tires for public transport were needed. Beside that the autonomous vehicles don't have any human drivers, and the comfort is the key to the driving experience on those vehicles.

Hexonic is a smart tire for autonomous public vehicles.(Picture from: http://bit.ly/2BzaS0r)

Hexonic helps vehicles achieve the best performance by scanning the road in real time with seven sensors on the tire tread that will read, analyze and act on the road surface continuously. Then the hexagonal treads will appear according to the needs of the road surface.

3. HLS 23

In terms of commercial services, the logistics transportation system for the future also developed the future concept tire is named HLS 23. Yes, this tire concept can support auto pilot transport operators.

With sensors on each side, the HLS 23 can monitor other HLS 23 locations and maintain a consistent distance when sending the cargos. All of this depends on the size and weight of the shipment. The HLS 23 tires can also operate individually or in assembled groups.

"We are proud to be able to present these brilliant works, both for now and in the future. Hankook Tire will continue to develop new tires that can better equip cars and seek new visions that far exceed the tire limits and mobility we know today," said Hankook Tire in one of their official statements. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | NEWATLAS | TIRE TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL]

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