Hyundai smart tires

2023: Product Announcement

On December 10, 2023, the South Korean automotive company Hyundai introduced a new design of wheels and tires with built-in antiskid chains that can be activated and removed by simply pressing a button. This solution can put an end to the laborious process of installing and removing traditional winter chains.

Hyundai's technology suggests that each of the tires will receive six transverse grooves with recesses that coincide in location with the six spokes of the wheel. Inside these grooves are thick wires, similar to antiskid chains, which are deeply drawn into the tread. They are partially made using compressed alloys with shape memory: when an electric current passes, the elements are activated and expanded.

Hyundai introduced a new wheel and tire design with built-in anti-skid chains that can be activated and removed by simply pressing a button

In difficult road conditions, such as when driving in snow, ice or mud, the driver can turn on the system by pressing a button in the car. The alloy returns to its original shape by raising the wire loop above the tread level. As a result, grousers are formed on tires, preventing sliding, drifting and loss of stability. This helps to improve traffic safety.

Thus, motorists will not have to waste time installing antiskid chains manually in the cold. In addition, the system will become an additional indicator of the tread wear level: the grinding of wire loops on asphalt will be a noticeable reminder that it is time to purchase new tires.

This innovation, which we hope will someday be rolled out on Hyundai and Kia vehicles, reflects our commitment to turning cutting-edge technology into real solutions that benefit customers, says the Korean automaker.[1]

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