Hankook Tire to Present ‘Design Innovation 2020’ with University of Cincinnati

Hankook Tire has announced plans to collaborate with the University of Cincinnati to present ‘Design Innovation 2020’. The project is a research and development project that will be used to conceptualize the tire manufacturer’s vision of the future.

“Design Innocation” is a bi-annual event that was launched in 2012 and as part of which Hankook will work with a leading design university in the world to tweak tire designs and technology as part of the company’s drive to develop solutions geared for future mobility, As part of the project, Hankook will use student ideas as well as its advanced tire technology to explore new design concepts for its line of next-generation products.

This time round, the theme for the 2020 edition of “Design Innovation” is ‘Urban Reshaping”. The theme focuses on the transformation of cities by incorporating mobility as part of living spaces rather than on a stand-alone basis. It is quite likely that urban living in the future would involve the use of augmented, cutting-edge technology and automation infrastructure that are eco-friendly. Automated driving and use of AI (Artificial Intelligence) will be a common occurrence in the future. The 2020 edition of Design Innovation is likely to be at a much higher level than the 2012 and 2016 projects.

The concepts and tires developed as an outcome of this project will be used in exhibitions that will make it possible for Hankook to secure its competitive role in future technological breakthroughs. Hankook has already taken the precaution of taking patents for the designs developed in past editions of Design Innovation to make their implementation more viable.

The team at the University of Cincinnati and Hankook have been brainstorming about likely scenarios for future mobility and have also ideas for building infrastructure that will fit into the environment. Currently, industry experts are reviewing these concepts.

Later in 2020, Hankook’s Research and Design Department plans to showcase the designs conceptualized their desires and also to secure patents for their innovation and technology. Awards will be given to students for their work at Hankook’s Design Insight Forum in September. Their work also will be on display at auto industry events to promote Hankook’s role in innovation, design and technology globally.

Jimmy Kwon, Vice President of Hankook Tire Brand Lab said, “The project paves the way to discover ‘the driving vision of the future.’ Hankook Tire will not only continue to offer cutting-edge designs, but also we will continue our research to develop the most advance technology out there when it come to the future of mobility.