SOUTH KOREA’s Kumho Tire, has developed the first of its kind self-healing tyres wth jell technology. The tyres promise to reduce overall maintenance cost for users.
The company says that it took it two years to develop and use the special jell technology that fills up any holes to help maintain consistent air pressure despite punctures to tread, and hence tyres do not go flat unlike others in similar condition.
It adds that tests performed on the tyres showed unchanged air pressure even when the tyre is completely punctured by sharp objects such as nails.
Coming in three types, the new tyres’largest 19-inch version will cost around US$378 (400,000 won) per unit, which is 30% more expensive than conventional tyres but are still be cheaper than imports, which could cost three times more than tyres from Kumho.