Hankook Wins Dual Honors at 2026 IDEA Awards

Global recognition for Hankook’s upcycling and autonomous mobility projects validates the tire manufacturer’s long-term research and development strategy.

Hankook Tire & Technology was named a Finalist across two categories at the 2026 International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA), one of the world’s premier industrial design competitions. The manufacturer earned distinctions for its circular economy initiatives and future mobility concepts. 

In the Social Impact Design category, Hankook was recognized for its re:move upcycling project, which repurposes rubber curing bladders used during tire manufacturing. Developed alongside Seoul National University, the series converts industrial byproduct materials into structural bricks, furniture, and commercial goods. 

In the Concepts & Speculative Design category, the company was honored for WheelBot2, an omnidirectional modular robotic wheel system featuring integrated drive motors. Engineered to address spatial constraints in smart cities and autonomous vehicle applications, the three-axis module enables 360-degree maneuverability along complex routes.