Two Kumho concept tires have been awarded prizes
Kumho Tire received two awards at the iF Design Award competition, which has been held by the International Design Forum in Hanover since 1954. This year, contestants from 72 countries submitted around 11,000 entries, and Kumho earned awards for conceptual works that allow us to evaluate what tires might look like in the future.
In particular, the award was given to the Volume tire, which can change its structure and functionality depending on speed and road conditions. By controlling air pressure and using a multi-layered protector with rhombus-shaped blocks, the tire with a changing shape is designed to improve traction and stability on various types of surfaces, such as wet and snowy roads. Its adaptability can increase the level of safety and energy efficiency while reducing damage to the environment.
As noted by Kumho, the demand for such adaptive tires will grow with the development of autonomous mobility and multi-functional transportation platforms.
The second concept from Kumho, called Origami, is a foldable tire developed specifically for space exploration and construction of bases outside of Earth. The tire's design is inspired by origami, allowing it to be folded and unfolded, which helps ensure the necessary traction in various conditions without the need for air inflation.
It is reported that tires of this type will also be in demand in the future, as organizations such as NASA and SpaceX are developing plans to explore celestial bodies.
The award-winning tires were developed as part of Kumho's "technological outsourcing" program, aimed at collaborating with various partners in the development of tires for future mobility. The new concepts were created with the participation of the Korean industrial design studio BKID, which works in various fields such as information technology, contemporary art, etc., and "enjoys a high reputation in the design industry".
"Kumho Tire continues to research and develop with the goal of creating eco-friendly solutions for future transportation," said Kim Yong Jin, Executive Director and Head of the company's research department. "We will continue to focus on creating products that match our consumers' lifestyle and improve their design and functionality."
Kumho regularly receives awards at Korean and international design competitions, and the company emphasizes that they "plan to further enhance the value of their premium brand on a global level through new solutions in the field of intelligent mobility".
Images: ifdesign.com