Kumho Tire and Ansible Motion Partner to Develop Next-Gen Digital Tires
Kumho Tire has announced a strategic partnership with UK-based simulation specialist Ansible Motion aimed at advancing the development of next-generation digital tires. The collaboration, revealed on January 5, 2026, focuses on integrating cutting-edge digital simulation technology into Kumho’s tyre research and development processes. Businesskorea
The core objective of the Kumho Tire digital tires partnership is to enhance performance verification systems using Ansible Motion’s driving simulator technology. This advanced platform can precisely replicate real-world driving conditions in a virtual environment, allowing engineers to evaluate tyre characteristics such as vehicle dynamics, ride comfort, and handling without extensive physical prototypes. Kumho hopes this will reduce both time and cost in tyre testing while improving the precision of performance assessments early in the development cycle.
Kumho’s executive vice president of R&D, Kim Young-jin, said the partnership is designed to help the company rapidly respond to the evolving mobility landscape and strengthen its global competitiveness, especially in segments like electric vehicles and high-performance tyres, where demand for refined performance and efficiency is rising.
Ansible Motion’s simulator solutions are already in use by several major automotive companies, including Hyundai Motor Group, BMW, Ford, General Motors, and Honda. By aligning on a shared simulator platform, Kumho and Ansible Motion also aim to foster closer cooperation with automakers through consistent data and mutual verification capabilities. This could accelerate Kumho’s integration into new vehicle programmes and deepen technical collaboration with vehicle manufacturers.
The partnership reflects a broader industry trend where tyre makers increasingly adopt digital tools and simulation technologies to improve R&D efficiency and adapt to future mobility demands. As the tyre market shifts toward smarter, more connected, and performance-oriented products, digital simulation is becoming a key competitive advantage.
Editor’s View
The Kumho Tire digital tires partnership with Ansible Motion shows how digital transformation is reshaping tyre R&D. Simulation technology lets tyre developers capture real-world performance data faster and more cost-effectively than traditional testing alone. For the tyre industry, this shift is critical as electric vehicles, autonomous systems, and high-performance segments demand tighter performance tolerances. Kumho’s move could help it close gaps with larger global rivals by improving product development cycles and strengthening ties with automakers already using the same simulation platforms. Digital tyres are not just a concept but an emerging reality that can redefine quality, speed, and collaboration in tyre innovation.
