Nexen Tire has received two Finalist honors at the 2025 International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) for its future-oriented concept tires, NEXIST and CELLEXIS.
The IDEA Awards are among the world’s top three design competitions. Entries are evaluated on innovation, usability, aesthetics, and social impact.
Nexen Tire NEXIST and CELLEXIS Concept Tires
The NEXIST concept addresses the transportation challenges of high-density cities where road space will shrink, Nexen said. Designed for autonomous Urban Air Mobility (UAM) vehicles with vertical take-off capability, it uses advanced carbon composite materials for lightweight performance while retaining the familiar form of a tire.
CELLEXIS reimagines public transportation in megacities, the manufacturer said. Inspired by a red blood cell, its spherical structure features omni wheels arranged in four directions. These wheels act simultaneously as tires, docking systems, and entry points, enabling faster transfers and reducing reliance on private vehicles.
Collaboration and Design
Both Nexen Tire concept tires were developed in collaboration with the Korea Institute of Design Promotion (KIDP), under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of the Republic of Korea. Nexen said concept tire projects serve as platforms to showcase technology, design excellence, environmental values, and its long-term vision.
The company has earned IDEA Awards for three consecutive years (2022, 2023, and 2025). Meanwhile, it has worked on advancing concept tire projects in partnership with leading Korean universities and institutions.
Global Design Competitiveness
In addition to the IDEA recognition, Nexen Tire secured other major global design awards in 2025. The Winguard Sport 3 earned a Red Dot Design Award. The N’FERA Sport R and N’BLUE 4Season 2 received the North American Green Good Design Award.
“This award is a testament to our philosophy and innovative efforts to deliver differentiated experiences that resonate globally,” said John Bosco (Hyeon Suk) Kim, CEO of Nexen Tire. “We will continue to develop designs and technologies that bridge the present and future of mobility.”
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