HANKOOK E-MEMBRANE CONCEPT TIRE
Reimagining The Wheel
Hankook Tire came to the Univesity of Cincinnati in 2012 to collaborate on a concept tire project. E-Membrane was selected by Hankook as one of a few in the class to be built as a physical prototype and shown at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Exhibition in Las Vegas that year alongside their current products in the Hankook tire display booth.
Hankook Tire proceeded to to submit E-Membrane to many of the most prestigious design awards, earning accolades in the form of iF, Red Dot, and IDEA awards, resulting in positive value for Hankook and publicity from various well-known industry news outlets around the world.
Energy-Saving Variable Tread
With the use of an electric current from the motors, an electroactive polymer strip embedded in the tire can flex in the middle. This would leave only the outer edges of the tire contacting the ground, reducing friction and rolling resistance.
Built and Exhibited
E-Membrane was one of 4 tire concepts to be prototyped in full-scale and exhibited at Hankook Tire’s SEMA exhibition in 2012. A video below, also produced by Hankook Tire, further explains this concept and its key features.
