Kumho Tires of the Future - Design Awards
Kumho Tire U.S.A. announced that it has received two major honors at the 2025 U.S. International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA), one of the world’s most respected design competitions organized by the Industrial Designers Society of America. IDEA, recognized globally alongside the iF Design Award, Red Dot Design Award, and Japan’s Good Design Award, evaluates entries based on design innovation, user benefits, and social responsibility. Kumho earned awards in the Professional Concepts & Speculative Design category for its forward-looking tire concepts “Volume” and “Origami,” both of which reflect the company’s vision for future mobility.
“Volume” is a next-generation adaptive tire that can alter its structure and performance in response to vehicle speed and varying road conditions. Its design emphasizes versatility, sustainability, and intelligent functionality to meet emerging mobility demands. “Origami,” inspired by traditional folding techniques, is a foldable tire engineered for space exploration and extraterrestrial construction environments. Its unique structure optimizes mobility in challenging off-planet terrains, addressing the needs of future space missions.
Both concepts were developed through Kumho’s “Technology Outsourcing” program, a collaborative initiative focused on next-generation mobility solutions. The program includes a partnership with BKID, an industrial design studio known for multidisciplinary work across craft, technology, and contemporary art. This collaboration enabled the creation of distinctive concept designs that push the boundaries of tire innovation.
CEO of Kumho Tire U.S.A., stated that the awards affirm the company’s commitment to innovation, responsible mobility, and technological excellence. Kumho plans to continue strengthening its global premium brand value and contributing to sustainable mobility through advanced, design-driven products.