Kumho Tire has partnered with Ansible Motion to develop next-generation digital tires. The two companies will use advanced digital simulation technology to enhance Kumho’s tire performance verification system and strengthen its competitiveness in the development of tires for electric vehicles (EVs) and high-performance vehicles.
Kumho Tire expects that using driving simulators in R&D will reduce the time and cost of vehicle testing and prototype production, allowing more precise and efficient performance evaluation from the early stages of development.
Kim Youngjin, executive vice president and head of research and development at Kumho Tire, said, “This will serve as an opportunity to advance our research and development paradigm to be more digitally focused. By actively utilizing advanced simulation technology, we will introduce high-performance, high-value-added products optimized for the future mobility environment, and continuously strengthen our competitiveness in the global market.”
Dan Clark, managing director of Ansible Motion, added, “Tire 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 tires in an environment that enables its engineers to be engineers – without the time and costs associated with traditional prototyping rounds.”
Ansible’s Delta S3 Spin DIL simulator replicates road driving conditions and enables virtual testing of vehicle dynamics, driving safety and ride comfort. It features the company’s six-degrees-of-freedom Stratiform motion system with infinite yaw, combined with a 360° wraparound projection and interchangeable vehicle cabins for a fully immersive lab environment. It provides 1:1 cueing in combined lateral and yaw situations, simulates road disturbances and integrates with leading tire modeling software. Its open software architecture and 5 × 5m scalable ground plane allow upgrades and integration with external systems such as HIL rigs and advanced vehicle models, ensuring long-term value for evolving tire testing needs.
DIL simulators enable detailed digital analysis of tires, including tread design, carcass construction and compound composition, while capturing real-time feedback from human drivers. By linking virtual and physical testing, Kumho Tire aims to refine predictive models and improve the accuracy of simulation-to-road correlations.
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