0:04
We are all biased about all kinds of
0:06
prototypes and concepts. It actually
0:09
For example, a concept of tubeless tires
0:12
appeared a long time ago.
0:14
They have been available for sale and
0:15
high demand. However, Michelin went even
0:19
In early June, they showed an airless
0:21
tire for production-based cars. In 2004
0:24
at the Paris Motor Show, Michelin
0:26
introduced its first actual airless
0:29
The Michelin Tweel tire consisted of an
0:31
almost ordinary metal disc, which was
0:33
bolted to the hub. The outer rim was
0:36
made of rubber and connected to a metal
0:37
disc with polyurethane spokes.
0:40
According to Michelin, their wheels are
0:42
cheaper than conventional pneumatic
0:44
They will be almost maintenance-free and
0:46
will last longer as they are not prone
0:50
They are not planned to be used on
0:51
passenger cars. Instead, Tweels were
0:53
tested and recommended for low-speed
0:55
construction and clearing vehicles. An
0:57
idea of a tubeless tire is very
0:59
promising. So, discontinuing them for
1:01
serial cars would be short-sighted since
1:03
such wheels are also widely used on ATVs
1:06
as well as on military and space
1:08
machines. However, only in mid-2019, an
1:11
airless tire technology was finalized in
1:13
collaboration with General Motors.
1:16
Visually, a new airless wheel resembles
1:18
a previous prototype of 2004. However,
1:21
it is made of completely different
1:23
materials using other technologies.
1:25
A new tire is proudly called a unique
1:27
puncture-proof tire system.
1:30
This unique puncture-proof system is
1:31
made of a mixture of composite rubber
1:33
and polymer fiberglass.
1:35
It will be actively tested in 2019 on a
1:37
Chevy Bolt, but will be available for
1:40
sale no earlier than 2024.
1:43
However, neither Michelin nor GM have
1:45
yet announced which car model will be
1:46
equipped with a new product.
1:49
The same Michelin and Maxion Wheels, the
1:51
world's largest manufacturer of wheels,
1:53
presented another novelty: Flexion wheel
1:56
tires and rims, which are prone to
1:58
punctures but at the same time are
1:59
pothole resistant. Modern vehicles are
2:02
increasingly using rims of large
2:04
diameter, minimum 19 in,
2:06
which explains the use of low-profile
2:09
It looks really nice, but its use is not
2:11
practical as on a difficult terrain,
2:13
low-profile rubber is at risk of damage
2:15
in potholes, just like the rim itself.
2:18
The new Flexion wheel is not much
2:20
different from the standard one, but its
2:22
design is much more advanced.
2:24
The main feature of the wheel is two
2:25
accurus rubber flanges installed on the
2:28
side of the wheel body.
2:29
They serve as a damper between the wheel
2:33
Thus, rubber flanges absorb the entire
2:38
The Korean company Hankook does not lag
2:41
behind Michelin in technologies
2:44
At the exhibition in Essen, they
2:45
presented two futuristic Hexonic and
2:48
Aero flow wheel models.
2:50
Hexonic smart wheels are designed
2:52
exclusively for unmanned vehicles.
2:54
They are designed to supply the main
2:55
computer with information on the
2:57
condition of the roadway, its
2:59
temperature, and the degree of
3:00
deterioration using seven sensors.
3:04
The tire can change the tread pattern
3:05
for better water drainage and produce
3:07
Y-shaped spikes to improve traction if
3:12
The Aero flow tire looks really
3:13
futuristic. It is designed for
3:15
high-speed machinery where aerodynamic
3:17
down force is of high importance.
3:20
The wheel consists of two halves with a
3:22
turbine installed between them.
3:24
As soon as the sports car speeds up, the
3:26
halves diverge and expose the turbine to
3:28
the flow of oncoming air.
3:30
The task of the turbine is to direct air
3:32
in order to increase the down force of
3:34
the car. Time will show whether how
3:36
successful those engineers' developments
3:39
They have yet to go through a lot of
3:40
tests before getting on the conveyors of
3:42
automakers. However, each of these
3:44
concepts is plausible for practical
