Divyank Kushagra Bansal 
Hyundai Motor Company (HMC) and Kia have demonstrated a new snow chain-integrated tyre technology to enhance safety in winter driving conditions. The technology uses ‘shape memory’ alloy modules that are located inside the wheel and tyre (across the cross-section width). These modules protrude to act and function as a ‘snow chain’ when an electrical signal is received. Think of each module as an L-shaped metal bracket that can act as a ‘grippy claw’ when it protrudes. So, like an external snow chain helps to increase the grip, these modules will do the same.
The setup consists of a wheel and tyre assembly that features radial grooves at regular intervals, like a pizza, with modules made of shape memory alloy inserted into these channels. The technology works on the shape memory alloy’s ability to return to its original shape when an electric current is applied. During normal driving, the alloy module located inside the wheel is compressed into the shape of the letter ‘L’ and does not contact the road surface. When the driver activates the function, the passing electric current causes the alloy module to revert to its original profile; the module forms a ‘J’ shape, pushing it out of the tyre groove to make contact with the surface, improving grip, stability and safety on snowy roads.
Plus, if the tyres are worn down to the height of the module in normal driving mode, a driver can easily recognise the right time to get them replaced as the wear will be easily visible and identifiable.
At this point, simply seeing an animation of the process might not look as promising as one may have doubts about the system’s reliability and efficacy in real-world conditions. However, if Hyundai and Kia can make it work, it can be a potential game-changer for vehicles in snow-laden regions of the world. This technology eliminates the need to physically install and remove snow chains from tyres, which can be a tedious process. Instead, with the press of a button, these metal alloy modules can be deployed.
Hyundai and Kia claim the technology is patent-pending in both South Korea and the United States, following which further testing and development can be done for mass production.
