Kumho partners Ansible Motion for next-generation digital tyres

Kumho Tire has announced a new partnership agreement with Ansible Motion to develop next-generation digital tyres.

The two companies have agreed to collaborate by utilising advanced digital simulation technology to “enhance the tyre performance verification system and strengthen their competitiveness in the development of tyres for electric vehicles and high-performance vehicles”.

According to Kumho Tire, the introduction of driving simulators into its research and development process will enable the company to reduce the time and cost required for real vehicle testing and prototype production.

This will lead to a more precise and efficient performance verification from the early stages of development, said Kumho.

Kim Youngjin, executive vice president and head of research and development at Kumho Tire, said the partnership with Ansible Motion will “serve as an opportunity to advance our research and development paradigm to be more digitally focused”.

“By actively utilising advanced simulation technology, we will introduce high-performance, high-value-added products optimised for the future mobility environment and continuously strengthen our competitiveness in the global market,” he said.

The Ansible Motion Delta S3 Spin DIL simulator is said to precisely replicate road driving environments, providing solutions that allow various driving characteristics – such as vehicle dynamics, driving safety, and ride comfort – to be tested in a virtual environment.

Dan Clark, managing director of Ansible Motion, added: “Tyre development has entered a new phase where virtual testing complements and accelerates physical evaluation.

“Our Delta S3 Spin DIL simulator will enable Kumho Tire to investigate solutions for the next generation of tyres in an environment that enables its engineers to be engineers – without the time and costs associated with traditional prototyping rounds.”