Nexen Tire signs OE tyre development MoU

Within the framework of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Korea Expressway Corporation’s Road Traffic Research Institute, Nexen Tire intends to reduce the time and expense required to produce tyres for original equipment customers. The two partners signed the MoU on 27 November at the Research Institute’s headquarters in Dongtan, Hwaseong.

Announcing details of the MoU, Nexen Tire says it and the Research Institute plan to “lead technological development in the road, transportation, and automotive sectors” and “secure technological competitiveness” by sharing expertise and infrastructure facilities.

Virtual tyre technology

The Road Traffic Research Institute has introduced and operates a state-of-the-art driving simulator to develop and disseminate technologies such as road traffic safety technology and advanced driver assistance systems. As virtual tyres, virtual vehicles and system operation technologies are essential elements in driving simulation, the two companies are pursuing strategic cooperation for the future.

Nexen Tire will use this simulator to evaluate virtual tyres, and by doing so predict and optimise the vehicle performance required of its original equipment tyres. As this will reduce time and cost involved when developing tyres for OEMs, Nexen Tire is confident that the MoU offers a competitive advantage.

Aiming for virtual development leadership

Nexen Tire additionally states that it plans to gradually build up a driving simulator team and infrastructure in order to expand its original equipment supply to premium vehicle manufacturers and to become a leader in virtual development technology. It indicates that the Magok Central Research Institute in Seoul will play a role here. This facility opened in 2019 and serves as a R&D hub that manages activities within the company’s centres in Korea, Europe, the USA and China.