SEOUL, South Korea — Nexen Tire Co. Ltd. has developed an artificial intelligence-based technology that it claims will allow it to reduce both tire noise and pass-by noise generated by cars and tires.
The company said the AI- and big-data-base "prediction system" has been in development since 2018 in partnership with Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group and Inha University in Korea and will help it increase customer satisfaction, improve the environment and research and development (R&D) time and costs.
As part of the project, the Seoul-based tire maker set up an anechoic chamber containing dozens of microphone sensors to measure noise, analyze pass-by noise and detect causes of noise, vibration and harshness from vehicle powertrains.
Researchers used collected data and deep-learning algorithms, based on tire patterns and noise design factors, to create the AI system, Nexen said.
Based on these results and using its in-house image processing technology, Nexen said it was able to create new designs that reduced noise generated by tires by up to 1 dB and external noise generated by cars by as much as 3 dB.
Nexen said it is working with Hyundai-Kia on ways to use this technology to develop tires for the car maker's future vehicles.
As part of the research, Nexen created what it claims is the first four-drum research equipment facility in South Korea, where it is researching braking performance on snow, hydroplaning and wet surfaces.
"Nexen Tire constantly monitors top industry trends and feedback from customers, and what we've discovered is that nearly all drivers want a quieter driving experience," John Hagan, executive vice president of sales for Nexen Tire America Inc., said.
Based on this feedback and its internal R&D, Nexen has developed an "industry-exclusive" manufacturing process to reduce tire noise using AI technology, Mr. Hagan said, adding the company expects to leverage this technology to improve its supply position with leading global OE customers.
