It's been well over a year since Michelin unveiled its take on the future of the tire, the airless Tweel. The odd-looking invention pairs a replaceable outer rubber layer with a central alloy hub joined by polyurethane ribs. Judging by this video, it would appear that the tire manufacturer is continuing to develop its concept, testing it on a variety of vehicles in a number of different environments. Click on the link to get a glimpse of what might just be in your automotive future.
[Sources: FreshCreation.nl; Michelin]
(Appreciate the tip, Martijn)
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Michael Karesh @ May 16th 2006 1:06PM
Unless it gets a lot prettier, it won't fly no matter what the functional benefits. No manufacturer is going to uglify their car by putting these on it. But if they can shrink the size of the "sidewall" and even make said sidewalls appear like those of conventional tires, it might just work.
RossL @ May 16th 2006 1:16PM
Wouldn't take much to prettify it. In any event, the video shows lots of examples of applications where practically matters far more than appearance. In the consumer car market, if the price is right lots of people would buy them whatever they looked like. Many of the rest of us wouldn't need much coaxing - a few cosmetic changes and we'll want the latest technology. Kudos to Michelin - bring 'em on!
iQuack @ May 16th 2006 1:18PM
Today's cars are so reliable that tires seem to be the last weak spot. In today's high-tech world, I think all cars should have had run-flat tires or their equivalent by now.
Yes, regular tires are much more durable than they were decades ago, but every time I see a car with a flat I think it's something that shouldn't be happening in this modern world.
There should be no such thing as a flat tire breakdown in the 21st Century.
Noah @ May 16th 2006 1:22PM
The tires we use now were once considered unpleasant to look at by those used to looking at rubber on rim wheels.
That said I imagine production versions would have a sidewall if not for looks to keep crudd out of the tweel.
I'm glad to see someone re-inventing the wheel.
--Noah
AJB @ May 16th 2006 1:23PM
It seems like a good option for commercial and industrial applications at this point. I'd bet that many folks would adopt the tweel if Michelin could sell it as a hip alternative--put it in a hip-hop video with Kanye or Jay-Z, make a size for twenty-twos, and all the kids would buy 'em.
Typesbad @ May 16th 2006 1:27PM
Vehicle mules aren't all that pretty either. I'm sure they will pretty it up way before production. The sidewall question is a valid one though. Still, the current wafer-thin sidewall trend is little more than a fad anyway. I'm sure if tweels come to the market as the next "it" product accessory, no one will care about sidewall size anymore.
bparks @ May 16th 2006 1:29PM
to #3, after owning a Mini Cooper with run flats I'll choose a doughnut spare any day. The replacement cost stinks and they don't ride/perform well. Many of the people in the local Mini Cooper club replaced their run flats well before the tread was gone.
I'd love to see something come from the tweel idea though, I wonder if they could be re-treaded?
Peter @ May 16th 2006 1:32PM
I think this is the same video, and you can actually watch it on linux.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2602309358284516882&q=tweel
Noah @ May 16th 2006 1:58PM
Regarding #3 by iQuack;
That's why cars have spare tires... and the ones that don't have spray 'n seal cans.
Run flat tires suck, their a poor compromise increasing cost and reducing handling.
Flat tire break downs aren't that bad unless you don't know how to read the directions in the owner's manual on how to install the spare, or you don't have AAA coverage or something similar.
I've had more water pumps fail than tires.
--Noah
iQuack @ May 16th 2006 2:15PM
I suppose I should have said that in the 21st Century all cars should have run-flat tires that are as good as regular tires with respect to performance and durability.
Current run-flats don't seem to have been perfected according to above comments, but shouldn't they be by now?
MikeW @ May 16th 2006 3:43PM
Don't the Mini Cooper wheels weight 25lbs (for a 7x17) and run flat tires weigh an additional 25lbs (205/45 17)
There would still be an air space for fine tuning of ride/handling, it would look like a regular tire.
What will the cops do when their StopSticks fail to stop cars?
naugahyde @ May 16th 2006 4:01PM
It's going to need a sidewall - what happens when you run in snow or mud, and it loads up inside? It would get heavy and out of balance. A sidewall would keep it from loading with foreign substance / goo.
WillDaThrill @ May 17th 2006 1:36AM
Yeah, that doctored up video is supposed to convince me? Lets see it handle real road hazards like running one newly paved streets with 6 inch deep holes left for man hole cover access at 45 mph. Or construction areas where you have to run over metal plates at 55/65 mph or hit a step ups in an uneven road. At least in those situations you can count on 3 of the 4 tires making it instead of risking 2 or even all 4.
RacetrackOwner @ May 17th 2006 8:58AM
WillDaThrill: I guess you missed the part where it remained usable after detonating a land mine. The point being, they're apparently extremely strong -- which should be obvious, since they're shown supporting relatively large (5+ ton) heavy equipment.
iQuack @ May 17th 2006 2:31PM
Snow, mud, and goo that got inside would likely be evenly distributed by centrifugal force and wouldn't cause an imbalance.
The same forces might also throw off most of the stuff that entered. The rolling and flexing wouldn't allow much of anything to accumulate in the tire. A teflon or other coating could prevent sticky stuff (like tar) to adhere.
delano Hill @ May 21st 2006 5:19PM
Seems to me based on the wheels i have seen that they show on the video it does appear like others.
DRH
Ron Wasmuth @ May 24th 2006 4:06PM
The Tweel looks great. I'd buy them in a heartbeat to apply to my Camaro. I'd love to see if they could take the treatment I'd offer them.
Your Mom @ Aug 9th 2006 8:21PM
WillDaThrill, don't be an idiot. The video footage wasn't doctored, it was controlled. It's still a concept being developed and for your disbelief in composite technology being able to handle typical or even severe driving conditions, you are completely ignorant and shouldn't be making statements about things you are uninformed about.