Design Innovation Day 2025: A Platform for Future Mobility
Hankook’s Technoplex headquarters in Pangyo hosted the Design Innovation Day 2025 event
On September 11, 2025, Hankook Tire & Technology hosted its prestigious ‘Design Innovation Day 2025’ at the company’s headquarters, the ‘Technoplex,’ located in Pangyo, Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. This annual forum serves as a platform for Hankook to showcase its mobility technology vision and innovative design achievements.
The event brought together Hankook employees and key technology partners, including LG Electronics, Harvestance, and CALMANTECH. This collaborative gathering highlighted innovations spanning sustainable manufacturing, advanced robotics, and autonomous driving technologies.
Since its inception in 2012, the ‘Design Innovation Project’ has been a cornerstone of Hankook’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of tire technology. The company has consistently collaborated with leading design universities worldwide, including the University of Cincinnati, the Royal College of Art in London, and Pforzheim University in Germany.
Revolutionary 3D-Printed Sustainable Concept Tire
One of the most remarkable innovations unveiled at the event was the ‘Sustainable Concept Tire,’ developed under the theme of “Future Sustainability.” This groundbreaking concept leverages advanced 3D printing technology to create tires that are both environmentally responsible and highly functional.
The Sustainable Concept Tire is produced layer by layer in a 3D printer, utilizing recycled and renewable raw materials. Its distinctive organic tread design features forms based on natural efficiency principles, optimizing performance while minimizing environmental impact.
This innovative approach to tire manufacturing was made possible through Hankook’s collaboration with engineering partner Harvestance, using Ntop design software to create the complex organic structures that would be impossible with traditional manufacturing methods.
“The Sustainable Concept Tire represents our vision for a circular economy in tire manufacturing. By utilizing 3D printing technology, we can create tires that are not only more sustainable in their materials but also in their production process, reducing waste and energy consumption significantly.”
The goal of this concept extends beyond just creating an eco-friendly product. Hankook aims to establish a new paradigm for resource-efficient production, lasting durability, and easy recycling at the end of the tire’s life cycle.
WheelBot 2: Redefining Mobility with Multi-Directional Movement
The second major innovation showcased at the Design Innovation Day was the multi-directional mobility platform ‘WheelBot 2.’ This advanced version of the first-generation model was co-developed through a technology partnership with robotics startup CALMANTECH.
As part of the demonstration, Hankook showcased the ‘PathCruizer,’ a concept model powered by WheelBot 2 with a two-seater pod. This practical application illustrates how the technology could revolutionize transportation in confined spaces like airport terminals, urban mobility hubs, or manufacturing facilities.
The PathCruizer’s ability to maneuver with unprecedented precision in tight spaces demonstrates a differentiated solution that highlights new possibilities for future mobility services, particularly in automated transport systems.
Advancing Innovation Through Strategic Partnerships
A key aspect of Hankook Tire’s innovation strategy is its commitment to Open Innovation initiatives with leading domestic and global companies. The Design Innovation Day 2025 event featured a presentation by In-baek Park, Team Leader at LG Production Engineering Research Institute, on “Advancements and Importance of 3D Printing Technology.”
LG Electronics
Partnership focused on advancing 3D printing technology for sustainable tire manufacturing processes.
Harvestance
Software collaboration utilizing Ntop design software to create complex organic structures for the Sustainable Concept Tire.
CALMANTECH
Robotics partnership that led to the development of the multi-directional WheelBot 2 mobility platform.
These strategic partnerships highlight Hankook’s commitment to collaborative innovation, bringing together expertise from various fields to create truly groundbreaking mobility solutions. By leveraging the specialized knowledge of partners like LG Electronics in manufacturing technology, Harvestance in computational design, and CALMANTECH in robotics, Hankook is able to push the boundaries of what’s possible in tire and mobility technology.
A Legacy of Design Excellence
Since launching the Design Innovation Project in 2012, Hankook Tire has consistently achieved outstanding results at prestigious global design awards, including the Red Dot, iF, and IDEA awards. These accolades have further solidified the premium stature of Hankook’s unified global brand and enhanced its recognition worldwide.
The company’s collaborations with leading design universities worldwide have been instrumental in fostering fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to tire design. These academic partnerships have helped Hankook stay at the forefront of design thinking and technological innovation.
Looking ahead, Hankook Tire plans to further enhance its global competitiveness by continuing to drive technology and design innovation, leveraging its state-of-the-art R&D infrastructure, which is recognized as one of the most advanced in the tire industry.
Implications for the Future of Mobility
The innovations showcased at Hankook Tire’s Design Innovation Day 2025 have far-reaching implications for the future of mobility. The Sustainable Concept Tire represents a significant step toward more environmentally responsible transportation, addressing growing concerns about sustainability in the automotive industry.
Meanwhile, the WheelBot 2 platform and PathCruizer concept demonstrate how rethinking fundamental aspects of vehicle movement can open up new possibilities for transportation in urban environments, airports, and other spaces where maneuverability is crucial.
These cutting-edge concepts align with global trends toward more sustainable, efficient, and flexible mobility solutions. As cities become more congested and environmental regulations tighten, innovations like those presented by Hankook will play an increasingly important role in shaping how we move people and goods.
Driving Innovation Forward
Hankook Tire’s ‘Design Innovation Day 2025’ showcases the company’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in tire technology and mobility solutions. By bringing together internal expertise with external partners, Hankook continues to develop concepts that could fundamentally change how we think about transportation.
From sustainable manufacturing processes to revolutionary mobility platforms, these innovations represent not just incremental improvements but paradigm shifts in their respective areas. As Hankook continues to invest in research and development, we can expect to see more groundbreaking concepts that blend cutting-edge technology with practical applications.
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