Hankook airless tires are supplied for firefighting robots
Hankook became the supplier of airless i–Flex tires for firefighting robots developed by Hyundai Rotem, part of the Hyundai Motor Group, based on the HR-Sherpa platform. The new robot is the first South Korean multi-functional equipment of this type and is equipped with a 65-millimeter water cannon, a camera with enhanced image quality, and an autonomous spraying device. Remote control operation is also available.
New-generation airless tires are supplied, developed jointly with Hyundai Rotem over five years and optimized for firefighting conditions, featuring the ability to withstand increased loads and operate effectively on rough terrain.
The tyres feature a modified dual-arch structure designed, among other things, to improve load distribution. The outer arch structure is engineered to absorb uneven impacts off-road, while the inner arch reduces vibrations transmitted to the drone's drivetrain, with the two connected by a special hinge design.
A tread pattern has been designed for the tyres that simultaneously increases their strength and improves grip, including when operating in challenging conditions; and since they have a non-pneumatic structure, there is no need for a separate pressure monitoring system, ensuring stable manoeuvrability without risks of punctures or air leakage.
According to Hankook, the new robots equipped with airless tires are designed to enhance the response efficiency of fire services during emergencies in areas where standard practices are difficult to implement, such as parking lots and warehouses. The new equipment was already deployed during a fire at a hygiene products factory in Eumseong County, North Chungcheong Province, South Korea, in January, as well as during a recent fire in an industrial complex in Daejeon's Daedeok-gu district.
The robot can move at speeds of up to 50 km/h, and firefighter Jeong Min-hwan said, "Collapsed debris often forms at fire sites, but thanks to the puncture-proof tires, we don't have to worry about punctures. We tested the tires by stacking pieces of wood, and they performed their tasks excellently."
Hankook has been developing airless tires since 2010, and the i-Flex technology was first presented at the CES exhibition in 2022. Since then, according to the company, non-pneumatic tires have proven their effectiveness when used on Hyundai Rotem's unmanned vehicle for military operations, which premiered at the Korea Defense Industry Exhibition in the same year.
Earlier about the start of practical use of airless tiresreportedJapanese Bridgestone.
Photo: Hyundai