Lee Min-hyung joined The Korea Times in 2014 and has worked as a journalist mainly in Korea’s finance, tech and automotive industry. He specializes in content creation, breaking news and in-depth analysis currently on transportation and mobility. You can reach him via mhlee@koreatimes.co.kr.
Kumho Tire set to lead tech-driven future mobility
Kumho Tire's R&D center in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province / Courtesy of Kumho Tire
By Lee Min-hyung
Kumho Tire is moving to lead tech-driven future mobility by proactively applying big data and artificial intelligence (AI) for new tire development, the company said Wednesday.
The tire firm has built what it calls a “tire digital twin” environment that predicts optimal tire compounds and their performance by utilizing a virtual simulation program. This enables the company to develop tires more quickly and precisely.
The company is expanding its presence in smart tires, which monitor conditions in real-time through embedded sensor modules. The smart tires alert drivers to potential risks on the road.
In September, Kumho Tire signed a memorandum of understanding with Autonomous A2Z, a self-driving tech developer, to jointly develop and supply next-generation tires for autonomous vehicles.
A ROii Level 4 autonomous bus is equipped with tires supplied by Kumho Tire. Courtesy of Kumho Tire
Autonomous A2Z recently placed 11th among global autonomous driving tech firms, marking a significant milestone as the highest-ranking Korean startup, according to market researcher Guidehouse.
Kumho Tire’s partnership with A2Z enables the tire firm to supply tires for ROii, a Korean-developed Level 4 autonomous bus. The vehicle made headlines after it was deployed at the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province.
The tire maker plans to commercialize future-oriented tires suitable for Level 4 or higher autonomous vehicles in the next four years. In particular, smart sensor-based tires and airless tire technologies are expected to significantly enhance the safety and efficiency of autonomous driving, Kumho Tire said.
The firm also remains committed to sustainability, setting a goal to change all of its tire raw materials to sustainable sources by 2045. In 2023, it successfully developed a tire with 80 percent sustainable materials.
“Kumho Tire aims to develop a better mobility experience by collaborating with premium carmakers and continuously advancing our R&D to introduce leading products,” a company official said.
“Through the development of diverse next-generation products and technologies, we will demonstrate Kumho Tire’s competitiveness not only in Korea, but on the global stage. Kumho Tire will continue to evolve into a brand worthy of the title ‘technology-driven tire maker’ in line with the future of mobility.”