Nexen develops AI-based tyre prediction system

Nexen Tire says it has developed an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based tyre performance prediction system. It will use a machine learning technology in the concept design stage to precisely and rapidly anticipate the primary performance indicators, such as fuel efficiency, noise, handling etc.

This pre-processing technology can detect and replace irregularities in the data. This ability to forecast tyre performance early in development has a significant impact on the quantity of prototypes produced and the development time. Primarily, Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is used to forecast the performance of generic tyres. With FEA, the shape and material properties of a tyre can be modelled as a virtual 3D tyre and the mechanical properties of a product can be confirmed through numerical calculation. FEA takes a long time to calculate figures, therefore developers quickly analyse performance at the concept design stage, which is inefficient.

Nexen adds it has been consistently working on establishing a virtual product development system. With the newly developed tyre performance prediction system using AI, this will allow faster and more accurate tyre design and performance improvement during the pre-production process.

“We aim to finalise the development of the virtual bran loop system, a tyre development system based on our own virtual design technology and apply it to OE goods,” said Seong Rae Kim, Research of the Nexen univerCITY, Nexen’s central R&D Institute.

He adds, “Through combined industry-academic research, we intend to increase talent training and R&D skills.”

Professor Seoung Bum Kim of Korea University and Professor Ki Chun Lee of Hanyang University collaborated on the newly created tyre performance prediction system using AI.