Puncture-proof tyres trialled on DHL vans in SG

[BabyBlade]

SINGAPORE – It is a delivery run for the history books, with the public getting its first look in Singapore at a van fitted with puncture-proof tyres as it made its way from the DHL Express office in Tai Seng Drive to Potong Pasir.

Right from the get-go, onlookers’ eyes were drawn to the prototype tyres, which look visibly different from conventional ones. The tyres have sturdy rubbery strut-like structures to keep them propped up, instead of being filled with air.

By the end of 2023, DHL Express will have around 50 vans fitted with such tyres as part of a trial by French tyre maker Michelin. The test will run until 2025, following smaller-scale tests under controlled conditions here, which The Straits Times reported on in December 2022.

The tyres looked slightly compressed under the weight of the van but Michelin said this is how they usually look. The imprint at the edge of the tyres indicates that they can each bear a maximum load of 650kg.

Besides Singapore, the puncture-proof tyre technology is also being tested in Thailand and the United States.

Michelin said the puncture-proof tyres last as long as conventional tyres. It said it is also researching the use of 3D-printing technology to add new materials onto a worn tyre, extending its service life and reducing waste.

The tyre company estimated that globally, 20 per cent of tyres on the road are taken out of service before they are fully worn because of flats, blowouts or irregular wear and tear when they are not pumped to the right amount of air pressure. Michelin said this means its puncture-proof tyres could save up to 200 million tyres annually from being prematurely scrapped.

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/first-van-with-puncture-proof-tyres-hits-the-road-in-singapore

If you have trypophobia, don't click on the video. 😢

 

[Wildfaye29]

Knn wtf sms is trypophobia

 

[Inlinefour]

dun need use so deep words leh 

 

just phobia of mark lee face can liao 

 

🤐🤐🤐 

 

just kidding 🤣🤣🤣

 

 

BTW passenger car can trial bo 

 

looks good 👍 

[Heartbreakid]

Wonder over time, will these tyres able to stay in shape. 

[Fitvip]

After driving through mud, you will have the problem cleaning them.

[ER-3682]

Come with the Plastic Wheel.?Hmmmm....i wonder how much per Wheel/Tyre cost.?$300 each.?

[Stratovarius]

Looks like uni direction wheels. Saw a video on YT last year. Glad it is rolled out rather than some concept idea that will never come to fruitation.

[Thaiyotakamli]

Is it comfy?

[BanCoe]

I remember seeing them on rental bikes ….. must be maintainence free likely…. If it takes off in a big way …and costs brought down ….. Will be good …… another thing is the fuel consumption of course and safety and wet weather …..

Edited January 13, 2023 by BanCoe

[Watwheels]

Omg, are these adhesive beads? LoL 

So the tires have to come with the steel or ally rims? Like that it is not going to be cheap.

It obviously cannot fit into our existing alloy rims. Cos if you see how tire dealers fit your rubber tire onto the rim it is by air expansion and circumference of the rim act as a stopper for the rubber tires to fit snugly w/o any air leaks. It is not going to fit onto your fancy alloy rims. These couldnt expand. So it has to come glued with the rim. Yucks! Good luck using them.

It looks like a 3-piece assembly. The outer diameter containing the tire threads...glued to the ribs...glued to the rim. LoL

Edited January 13, 2023 by Watwheels

[Jamesc]

puncture-proof tyres could save up to 200 million tyres annually from being prematurely scrapped.

Save the earth

and no need to check air pressure at the service station.

Save time

[Volvobrick]

The invention has been around for many years. I wonder why never took off. Maybe expensive, poor fuel economy/longevity etc. One obvious shortcoming is not able to adjust the air pressure to cater to heavier or lighter loads. And it is not aerodynamic too. 

[Jamesc]

They made airless tyres for bicycles years ago

 

 

[Jamesc]

No rim even more comfortable

 

 

[Jamesc]

The wheel was invented 7,000 years ago.

They put a man on the moon in 1969.

The most important thing I never leave home without to go on holiday was only invented in 1974.

Mankind is not as smart as they like to think.

 

[Jamesc]

So poor Neil Armstrong went all the way to the moon

came back to Earth and when he went home

he had to carry his luggage all the way home

because he couldn't wheel it alone

as the suitcase with wheels would not

be invented for another 5 years!

[BabyBlade]

11 hours ago, Wildfaye29 said:

Knn wtf sms is trypophobia

 

 

Spoiler

 

wahlau why you purposely screenshot this! 😡

[Beregond]

I think this is more for low speed and rougher use.

This design generate way more heat then normal tyres, and it got more contact surface. 

Plus i dun know how they going to do the balancing??