Did you know that several companies are working on airless tires right now and some may possibly be used for your car?

Who has Airless Tires?

• Michelin’s Uptis (unique puncture-proof tire system) is made with rubber and resin-embedded fiberglass with flexible spokes for compression and tension.  They will be made available for passenger cars in 2024.  (Michelin already makes Tweel airless tires for low speed purposes such as lawnmowers, wheelchairs and  skidloaders).
• Bridgestone’s “Air Free Concept” commercial truck tire is designed to be used in high-speed, long-haul applications with a unique structure of resin spokes stretching along the inner sides of tires and a recycled thermoplastic web at its center.
• Goodyear’s  non-pneumatic tire concept has a steel inner wheel, with a plastic material (injection molded) connecting structure that compresses, and an outer more traditional tire surface called sheer band.  Possibly used for broad application in the future. (To be used on Olli- an autonomous shuttle pilot program).
• NASA Glenn’s  Superelastic Tire concept is made with nickel and titanium material.  SMART tire Company is partnering with NASA for their METL tires with the same shape memory alloy construction for bicycles in early 2022. (In the past NASA has used a spring tire of spun aluminum hubs with tires of woven steel strands coated with zinc).  
• Others including Sumitomo Rubber Industries’ Gyroblade (which is another metallic wheel with resin spokes concept) and Hankook Tire’s “iflex” airless design are being explored.

BENEFITS of AIRLESS TIRES:

• No flats/blowouts 
• No spare necessary (lighter weight and increased speed/range)
• No hydroplaning
• Treading can be replaced-which could last the life of a vehicle (addresses the problem of the millions of discarded tires per year)
• Smoother rides
• Sharper handling with very high lateral stiffness
• Reduced maintenance

We’re already getting rid of gas…why not air too! 

Go electric ✌🏼

📸 Creds: michelin