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No more flats: Michelin and GM to bring airless tires...

kobayashiGT

By kobayashiGT,
in Tyres and Rims

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kobayashiGT

kobayashiGT

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No more flats: Michelin and GM to bring airless tires to passenger cars by 2024

Sources: https://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/michelin-and-gm-aim-to-bring-airless-tires-to-passenger-cars-by-2024/

 

 

Plenty of things can go wrong when you’re driving a car, though thankfully the vast majority of trips go without a hitch.

Tire punctures, for example, are a real headache, but thanks to a collaboration between Michelin and General Motors (GM), the deflating experience could soon be a thing of the past.

 

Following years of research, Michelin announced this week that it’s ready to hit the road with UPTIS, its “unique puncture-proof tire system,” and is partnering with GM for real-world trials using Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicles. Testing starts this year and if all goes well, airless tires could be coming to a passenger car near you as early as 2024.

 

The tire’s all-important rib design is located between the aluminum wheel and the outer tread. It comprises a composite rubber and high-strength resin-embedded fiberglass material that offers plenty of give and durability.

 

The tire is essentially a more advanced version of the Tweel, another airless design that Michelin unveiled nearly 15 years ago. Early issues with Michelin’s airless tires included excess noise and vibration compared to conventional designs, but fortunately these problems have since been overcome.

 

michelin-prototype-tire-testing-at-gm-mi

 

Advantages

Airless tires offer a number of advantages over the traditional design. For example, the elimination of annoying flats and potentially dangerous blowouts will lead to a reduction in waste products — Michelin puts the saving at 2 million tons a year — as fewer tires would be scrapped before reaching the end of their life cycle.

 

They’ll also reduce the use of raw materials, energy for production, and emissions linked to the manufacture of spare and replacement tires that will no longer be required. And by ending the need to carry a spare tire, cars will also be lighter and therefore more efficient.

 

Airless tires will also help businesses managing fleets of vehicles to run a more efficient operation as there’ll be no time lost to flats and general tire maintenance that includes inspections for damage and pressure checks.

 

Testing the tire with the Chevrolet Bolts will put the design through its paces over an extended period, allowing engineers to see how well it handles a range of surfaces and challenging weather conditions.

 

Looking at this latest development, Michelin’s long-running interest in airless tires looks like it could soon pay off.

 

 

I bet this is a very noisy tyres. With electric cars popularizing, and with such tyres, there isn't a need for you to visit petrol station anymore.

 

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Jon_cclau

Jon_cclau

3rd Gear

Currently I am using 19' Run flat tires and it driving me crazy...

 

1.  Too stiff and hard due to the side wall

2.  Too noisy

3.  The vibration channel to the car body

 

Personally I still prefer the standard tires after comparing the RF...

 

For the airless tires...  ermm… have to look see look see first... but the design looks cool though... [:p]

 

Anyway, pumping air in petrol station somehow is one of the things I like to do [laugh]

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Roberttan

Roberttan

5th Gear

Currently I am using 19' Run flat tires and it driving me crazy...

 

1.  Too stiff and hard due to the side wall

2.  Too noisy

3.  The vibration channel to the car body

 

Personally I still prefer the standard tires after comparing the RF...

 

For the airless tires...  ermm… have to look see look see first... but the design looks cool though... [:p]

 

Anyway, pumping air in petrol station somehow is one of the things I like to do [laugh]

I don't think the sidewall looks like this when you buy 

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Beregond

Beregond

Supersonic

I don't think the sidewall looks like this when you buy

These design have been out for some time.

In commerical use.

Indeed the sidewall is expose.

 

The main problem is debris like rock etc get inside the grooves.

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Roberttan

Roberttan

5th Gear

These design have been out for some time.

In commerical use.

Indeed the sidewall is expose.

 

The main problem is debris like rock etc get inside the grooves.

now they just want to show us how inside looks like,

like this in the future tire Workshop will have to eat grass. 

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Beregond

Beregond

Supersonic

now they just want to show us how inside looks like,

like this in the future tire Workshop will have to eat grass. 

not really..

 

as long as run on rubber,

the tyres will wear off.

replacement cannot  be avoided.

 

but confirm less cases of tyres damage due to running with less air.

less cases of puncture repair.  

but big screw that struck inside rubber, drivers will still need help to pull out.

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Knoobie

Knoobie

Supercharged

Currently I am using 19' Run flat tires and it driving me crazy...

 

1.  Too stiff and hard due to the side wall

2.  Too noisy

3.  The vibration channel to the car body

 

Personally I still prefer the standard tires after comparing the RF...

 

For the airless tires...  ermm… have to look see look see first... but the design looks cool though... [:p]

 

Anyway, pumping air in petrol station somehow is one of the things I like to do [laugh]

 

but the petrol station air pump always spoil~!!!!  :a-bang:

 

I wonder which weighs heavier.. don't think low profile is possible too

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Kb27

Kb27

Supersonic
(edited)

If something damaged the tyre, you have to change a new one.

You can't pay $10 for a patch.

 

Pneumatic tyres has been around for a very long time.

Don't think it will be replaced anytime soon.

Edited by Kb27
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Beregond

Beregond

Supersonic
(edited)

 

 

see this video 4-5 years ago, this technology have been out ages ago.

 

until not still not use in car, confirm have many unknow factor.

Edited by Beregond
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Kusje

Kusje

Supersonic

not really..

 

as long as run on rubber,

the tyres will wear off.

replacement cannot  be avoided.

 

but confirm less cases of tyres damage due to running with less air.

less cases of puncture repair.  

but big screw that struck inside rubber, drivers will still need help to pull out.

 

Cannot just leave the screw in?

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Beregond

Beregond

Supersonic

Cannot just leave the screw in?

rubber wear faster then metal,

if leave the screw in,

even if airless.

 

sooner or later the screw will hit the road, and have a tat tat tat sound.

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Inlinefour

Inlinefour

Twincharged

No need to patch. Cannot puncture.

 

:D

 

 

 

guess it got "Botak" faster than normal ones :yeah-im-not-drunk:

rubber wear faster then metal,

if leave the screw in,

even if airless.

 

sooner or later the screw will hit the road, and have a tat tat tat sound.

 

then we called it NPCC tyre with tat tat sound :a-toast:

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Adrianli

Adrianli

Hypersonic

It will take a lot more to stop cars from those cat claw or spike strips. Police or authorities need another means of stopping runaway cars.

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