AI technology helps Hankook tire formula development

Predicting tire formulation characteristics through artificial intelligence analysis without actual testing

The original three-year development cycle is expected to be shortened by approximately 50%

Through the cooperation with the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, the accuracy of data analysis is improved and the reliability is improved to over 95%.

Shanghai, China, November 19, 2019 – Hantai Tire (President and CEO: Mr. Zhao Xianfan), a world-renowned high-end tire manufacturer, announced that the company has achieved remarkable results in promoting innovation and digital transformation with advanced technology. Developed a predictive model for tire formulation characteristics using artificial intelligence technology - "Virtual Recipe Design (VCD) System".

The technology used in the VCD system can be used to predict tire formulation characteristics through artificial intelligence analysis, resulting in an optimized combination of materials. The technology is based on cumulative data, eliminating the need to obtain data through actual testing during tire formulation development.

The tire formula consists of more than 15 materials, such as natural rubber, synthetic rubber and carbon black materials, and can exhibit different characteristics depending on various variables such as temperature, function, combination order, pressure, material ratio, etc. The formulation development process is quite complicated. In general, the development of a new formulation can take anywhere from six months to three years, and the application of artificial intelligence technology is expected to reduce the development cycle by 50%.

The VCD system running on the cloud platform will create a “Digital Twin”, which is a virtual simulation model of the real object, and then map the results of the virtual simulation model to reality, so that the reality and the virtual reality interact with each other. Repeat this process to find a better recipe. The VCD system analyzes tens of thousands of data units with cloud computing platforms such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google TensorFlow, an artificial intelligence engine that evolves itself through machine learning.

Hankook's innovative efforts began with an internal development project of the company, and cooperation with outstanding research institutions in Korea accelerated and consolidated this innovation process. Earlier this year, Hankook and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) signed a future technology research and development agreement, and the two sides cooperated on the VCD system project. Since then, the accuracy of data analysis has increased significantly, and the current reliability has increased to over 95%.

After successfully using artificial intelligence technology to predict tire formulation characteristics, Hankook Tire plans to expand the application of this technology, from material selection, design, tire testing, manufacturing to mass production of the entire tire development process. In addition, the company plans to accelerate the introduction of innovative technologies based on cumulative data, not limited to specific development areas, for all aspects of the tire industry ecosystem, including material supply and demand, design, R&D, testing, production, Distribution (supply chain management) and customer use.

In order to continuously enhance its future-oriented competitiveness, Hankook Tire has driven business innovation with advanced technology and announced its new corporate development mission in May this year. In addition, Hankook Tire utilizes a global R&D network centered on the advanced research and development center Hankook Technodome to foster innovative technologies for the future. In addition to promoting high-quality growth and competitiveness in the tire business, Hankook Tire also actively promotes the construction of a new growth system centered on technology, brand and network, and further consolidates its position as a leader in the industry.