Hankook Tire to Supply 'Non-Air Filled Tires' for Unmanned Firefighting Robots

Jointly Developed with Hyundai Rotem
Optimized Design for Heavy Loads and Challenging Terrain

Hankook Tire & Technology announced on July 21 that it will supply its next-generation non-air filled tire, "i-Flex," as original equipment to unmanned firefighting robots jointly developed with Hyundai Rotem.

Non-air tire i-Flex 1st generation. Hankook Tire

The unmanned firefighting robot is based on Hyundai Rotem's HR-Sherpa, the first domestically produced multipurpose unmanned vehicle, and is equipped with a 65mm high-performance water cannon, a vision-enhancing camera, an on-board spray system, and remote control functionality.

Over five years of joint development, the two companies created a next-generation non-air filled tire optimized for high-risk fire sites. In consideration of the heavy-load structure and rough-terrain driving of the unmanned firefighting robot, a "dual-arch" design was applied, which facilitates load support and effectively disperses compressive forces.

The structure consists of an "outer arch" that initially absorbs irregular shocks transmitted from the road surface, an "inner arch" that dampens vibrations delivered to the driving components of the vehicle, and a "hinge" structure connecting the inner and outer arches. This ensures stable driving performance.

Additionally, the robust tread design and excellent grip provide stable driving even on rough terrain. With the non-air filled structure, there is no need for separate air pressure management, allowing for stable mobility without concerns of air loss or punctures.

The unmanned firefighting robot contributes to improved disaster response capabilities in locations where firefighter deployment is difficult, such as underground parking lots or logistics warehouses. It was deployed at disaster sites including a factory fire in Eumseong, Chungbuk, in January and the recent industrial complex fire in Daedeok-gu, Daejeon. Unmanned firefighting robots equipped with "i-Flex" are currently each deployed and operating at the Seoul Metropolitan 119 Special Rescue Unit, Yeongnam 119 Special Rescue Unit, Hwaseong Fire Station in Gyeonggi Province, and Chungnam Fire Headquarters.

Since 2010, Hankook Tire has been developing non-air filled tire technology through government research projects. "i-Flex" was first unveiled at "CES 2022," and later that year, it demonstrated its technological competitiveness by being installed on Hyundai Rotem’s military operation multipurpose unmanned vehicle at "DX Korea 2022."

A representative from Hankook Tire stated, "Based on our unique technology philosophy, 'HIP (Hankook Innovative Performance),' we will expand the application of advanced tire technologies to unmanned special purpose vehicles, autonomous driving, and robotic mobility, thereby leading the paradigm shift in the future mobility industry."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.