SHERIDAN, WYOMING – July 30, 2024 – Nexen Tire, a global leader in tire manufacturing, is driving innovation in tire research and development (R&D) with the introduction of its groundbreaking High Dynamic Driving Simulator.This state-of-the-art virtual reality (VR) equipment, a first for the South Korean tire industry, is poised to revolutionize the way tires are designed, tested, and optimized.
In a strategic partnership with British equipment supplier Ansible Motion, Nexen Tire aims to leverage the simulator's capabilities to enhance collaboration with automakers, accelerate vehicle development, and reduce costs through virtual testing. This cutting-edge technology enables engineers to evaluate virtual tires with mathematically simulated performance, eliminating the need for initial physical prototypes.
“VR tire development involves evaluating products using virtual tires with mathematically simulated performance,eliminating the need for initial physical prototypes,” said a Nexen Tire spokesperson.
Accelerating Tire Development with Virtual Reality
The High Dynamic Driving Simulator allows Nexen Tire to predict and optimize the performance of original equipment (OE) tires in advance, significantly reducing the time and costs associated with traditional development processes. By simulating real-world driving scenarios in a virtual environment, engineers can quickly identify and address potential issues, refine designs, and ensure optimal tire performance before physical prototypes are even produced.
“VR development reduces costs associated with raw materials, vehicles and space rentals while also shortening the testing period and processing time from prototype to finished product,” the Nexen Tire spokesperson emphasized.
Harnessing the Power of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Nexen Tire's commitment to innovation doesn't stop at virtual reality. In 2022, the company established an AI performance prediction system that utilizes machine learning to forecast key tire performance metrics at the concept stage. This system allows tire developers to quickly and accurately predict essential characteristics such as fuel efficiency, noise, handling, and grip, based on extensive test data accumulated over time.
Pioneering Explainable AI for Tire Design
Looking to the future, Nexen Tire is actively developing a system that incorporates XAI (explainable AI) technology.This advanced system not only generates answers to given test values but also provides clear explanations and interpretations of the results and processes, leading to optimal design solutions.
By combining virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and explainable AI, Nexen Tire is leading the charge in tire innovation, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in tire performance, efficiency, and sustainability. This commitment to technological advancement is set to benefit both consumers and the environment, as Nexen Tire continues to develop tires that are safer, more efficient, and more environmentally friendly.