Hyundai Unveils Tires with Built-in Push-Button Snow Chains

Hyundai has revealed an innovative wheel and tire design featuring integrated snow chains that can be deployed or retracted with the simple push of a button. This advancement has the potential to eliminate the cumbersome and chilly task of installing and removing conventional snow chains. The tires are designed with six indented grooves, aligned with the wheel’s six spokes, housing robust, snow chain-like wires that can be retracted deep into the tread.

Innovative Design

These tires incorporate compressed shape memory alloys, capable of activation and expansion through an electric current. When faced with challenging road conditions or legal obligations for snow chains, a straightforward press of a button initiates the shape memory alloy to revert to its original form, raising the wire loop above the tread level. This eliminates the need for hands-on installation, ensuring no wet knees, slushy shoes, or freezing fingers are required.

According to Hyundai, the snow chains offer an additional advantage by serving as a highly visible (and audible) indicator for when it’s time to replace the tires. However, it’s important to note that, at this stage, the concept remains an idea.

Joon Mo Park, Hyundai’s Head of Advanced Chassis Development Team, expressed optimism about the potential introduction of this innovation on Hyundai and Kia vehicles in the future, emphasizing the company’s commitment to translating advanced technologies into practical solutions for customers.

Challenges and Prospects

Given that the implementation requires a redesign of the entire wheel assembly, including electrical connections, achieving this goal will involve specific efforts from both Hyundai and tire manufacturers. Nevertheless, for individuals frequently navigating snowy or icy conditions, this technology could prove to be a significant convenience and a genuine lifesaver.

Hyundai has announced the patenting of this technology in South Korea and the USA, with plans for Hyundai/Kia to explore the potential for mass-producing the tires following additional technological development, durability and performance tests, and regulatory reviews. It’s an exciting concept, and we eagerly anticipate its potential realization in the near future!

Read the original article on: New Atlas

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