Driving Simulators Revolutionize Tire Development Technology With autonomous driving technology now rapidly approaching our daily lives, the transformation in the automotive industry extends beyond mere driving convenience, driving innovation in fundamental component development. Tires, in particular, stand at its core. While they are a basic component supporting the vehicle, in autonomous vehicles, they are no longer just a chunk of rubber but play a crucial role in precisely controlling vehicle movement and ensuring safety. So, how is this tire development process evolving? The answer can be found in the term 'driving simulator.' At the 'Autonomous Driving TECH Seminar Part 3' held on March 19, 2026, Kwak Jae-ryeon, team leader at Nexen Tire, shared strategies for tire performance development and utilization using driving simulators. This presentation was a significant moment, offering a glimpse into the future of automotive technology. Team Leader Kwak emphasized, "In the era of autonomous driving, it is crucial to quantitatively evaluate and develop the dynamic characteristics of tires based on vehicle modeling, tire modeling, and simulation technology." This suggests the possibility of developing tire performance with greater precision and accuracy, moving beyond traditional development processes that relied solely on road tests. Let's examine why driving simulators play such an important role in tire development. Traditional tire testing heavily relied on the driving sensations and feedback of test drivers on the road. However, this method had limitations, as results could vary depending on the evaluator's personal experience or condition. In contrast, driving simulators provide a reference point adjusted by the feel of a master driver, allowing for consistent adjustment and correlation of evaluations from multiple test drivers. This significantly contributes to reducing errors in subjective evaluations, which can fluctuate with human condition. Nexen Tire utilizes the Delta S3 model from UK-based NC.Motion, a prime example of equipment used to overcome these technical limitations. This high-performance simulator can achieve movements of 2.5m left-right, 2.5m front-back, and 0.4m up-down, along with lateral acceleration of 1-1.2g, enabling precise analysis of characteristics such as handling, ride comfort, and tire cavity. Notably, this equipment is built with commercial software and tire models developed according to the detailed requirements of OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) companies, allowing for optimized tire development tailored to the specific characteristics of each automaker. The utilization of such high-performance simulators is gaining attention as an efficient solution that reduces traditional road testing costs while systematically handling multiple variables. South Korea's Tire Industry Strategy for the Autonomous Driving Era Of course, simulator technology does not solve all problems. Even with the most sophisticated implementation, virtual environments using simulators have limitations in that they cannot 100% replicate real-world road conditions. Team Leader Kwak stated, "Reducing the gap between simulator and real-road environments is a critical task for enhancing the completeness of virtual development," mentioning the need for further research and improvement in this area. Indeed, perfectly replicating the myriad variables encountered in real driving environments—such as subtle road imperfections, changes in temperature and humidity, and wind effects—within a virtual environment remains a challenge. However, as the era of autonomous driving dawns, the role of such virtual technologies is becoming increasingly important. In optimizing the safety and performance of autonomous vehicles, the importance of tire technology cannot be overstated. Even if an autonomous driving system processes countless data points per second to control the vehicle, the tire is ultimately the final point of contact where those control commands are implemented on the actual road. If a tire's grip, responsiveness, and durability are not optimized, even the most sophisticated autonomous driving algorithm can become useless. In this context, Nexen Tire's simulator-based tire development strategy is an essential approach for the autonomous driving era. While past tire development required the experience of skilled test drivers and lengthy experimental processes, data-driven, precise development is now essential. Through simulation technology, quantitatively evaluating the dynamic characteristics of tires and deriving optimal designs based on this data not only shortens development time but also ensures consistent quality. Furthermore, as customized tire development tailored to various driving conditions and vehicle characteristics becomes possible, collaboration with OEM companies can also become more close-knit and efficient. Virtual Technology: The New Frontier in Tire Development Enhancing the complet
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