Hankook Tire Exhibits Airless Tires at Defense Exhibition

Multipurpose unmanned vehicle equipped with Hankook Tire's airless tire i-Flex

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] Hankook Tire & Technology showcased its airless tire, i-Flex, at DX Korea 2022, the Korea Defense Industry Exhibition, held over five days starting from the 21st.

The tire can be seen at the Hyundai Rotem booth, which also featured a multipurpose unmanned vehicle. The unmanned vehicle, developed by Hyundai Rotem, is equipped with airless tires and autonomous driving technology to ensure mobility and performance required for military operations in emergencies. The airless tire is a concept tire designed for unmanned vehicles traveling on rough terrain. It is an improved model of the first-generation airless tire, sized at 17 inches. Since it contains no air, it ensures safety even in the event of puncture-related accidents. Additionally, it does not require maintenance of proper air pressure, allowing for constant mobility.

The i-Flex for multipurpose unmanned vehicles incorporates a dual-arch structure to facilitate load support and evenly distribute compressive loads. According to the company, the outer arch structure primarily absorbs irregular shocks transmitted from off-road surfaces, while the inner arch structure mitigates vibrations delivered to the vehicle’s drive components. A hinge structure connecting the inner and outer arches provides a stable form. Furthermore, considering the vehicle’s ability to perform on-the-spot turns, the tire contact surface pattern has been optimized.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.