Upcycling project 're:move' and future mobility concept tire 'WheelBot2' each take home an award

The spherical modular robotic wheel system WheelBot2 (left) and upcycled furniture from the re:move upcycling project [Hankook Tire & Technology]
The spherical modular robotic wheel system WheelBot2 (left) and upcycled furniture from the re:move upcycling project [Hankook Tire & Technology]

Hankook Tire & Technology announced Wednesday that it won two honors at the 2026 IDEA Design Awards, organized by the Industrial Designers Society of America.

The IDEA Design Awards are considered one of the world's three most prestigious design competitions, alongside Germany's Red Dot and iF awards. The program evaluates entries across more than 20 categories based on design innovation, user experience and social responsibility.

Hankook Tire & Technology took home honors in the Social Impact Design category for its upcycling project re:move, and in the Concept Design category for WheelBot2, a spherical modular robotic wheel system.

Re:move is an upcycling initiative built around "bladders," byproducts generated during tire production. Developed in collaboration with the Circular Design Lab — known as Disco Lab — at Seoul National University, the entry, titled the Bladder Upcycling Series, comprises furniture, bricks and lifestyle goods made from bladder powder. A sculptural installation called Kinetic Wall, assembled from those bricks, symbolizes the company's vision for a sustainable future.

The project has now claimed four major global design awards this year alone, following wins at the Red Dot Design Award, the A' Design Award (gold) and the Green Good Design Award.

WheelBot2 is a three-axis drive mobility system based on a spherical tire. Powered by in-wheel motors and crab-walking drive motors on each wheel, it can travel in any direction across a full 360 degrees and maneuver precisely in tight or complex spaces. Judges recognized the system for pushing beyond the physical limits of conventional mobility and opening new possibilities suited to smart cities and the era of autonomous driving.

Meanwhile, Hankook Tire & Technology continues to expand its brand presence through a range of marketing activities, including an exclusive tire supply deal and official tire partnership with US motorsport company Racing America for major racing series from 2027 through 2031.


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