Michelin Unveil Airless Tyre

Michelin is to exhibit its is Airless tyres at the Paris Auto Show 2004. According to Michelin the “Airless Wheel” and “Tweel” tyres are still at the concept stage but would hopefully hit the mass market in the next 10 years. The tyres are designed to weather the tough road conditions that occur in countries like China and India.

The tyres, which Michelin hopes to adapt for motorcycles, cars and heavier vehicles, are non-pneumatic and made of elastic. The use of elastic has been employed in order to better absorb shock and therefore provide a smoother ride on often in less developed countries, the company said.

“There is a robustness that is especially designed for fast-growing markets, like China and India, where the roads and infrastructure are not as well developed as ours,” Didier Miraton, Michelin’s head of research and development, told reporters.

Mr Miraton said designs for future tyres like the Airless Wheel tended to use an increasingly wide range of materials, so Michelin would be less reliant on natural.