What I like about companies like Apple is when they release something, they explicitly say: "This product will be available in stores starting Oct 15". On Oct 15, you go to apple.com and buy the product online. Done. I can't even count how many years I've heard about airless tires being developed.
Michelin Airless
51–60 of 316 posts
Re: Michelin Airless
#52Earlier quoted context omitted.
These tires do have sidewalls. The sidewalls are removed for marketing and demonstration purposes only.
I guess the point is if they can be removed for demonstrations, then they're not critical to the structure.
I imagine they're critical for noise reduction.
Re: Michelin Airless
#53Re: Michelin Airless
#54I wonder if the rubber structural spokes could be shaped to pull air from the underside of the vehicle (tire rotation would be slightly more complicated) to increase stability at higher speeds.
Re: Michelin Airless
#55I always wonder how these things would stand up to stones getting caught in between the rubber “spokes“.
Completely guessing, but I wonder if they designed the "spoke" baffles to pinch in under the load and thus expel any stones that might fit between them, like a pebble squeezed between your two fingers and shooting out.
A pebble shooting out of the upper side of a tire of a car at 250 km/h is probably as bad as a bullet. Probably worse.
Re: Michelin Airless
#56Former automotive engineer chiming in. "Tweels" have been around a long time, but have always failed in terms of "NVH" (noise, vibration, harshness). Michelin is claiming that this generation of tweels are appropriate for passenger cars, which means that they think they've solved the NVH problem. They seem to be marketing these alongside EVs, I wonder if they're only really intended for lighter, compact-style cars. (…
EVs are quite heavy for their footprint due to the weight of the batteries.
There are exceptions though like the upcoming Aptera which only weighs around 800 kg even with a large range.
Re: Michelin Airless
#57The 3rd illustration displayed (the one that accompanies the claim “A smaller environmental footprint”) is extremely enigmatic…
Re: Michelin Airless
#58shouldnt they be “closed” laterally for aerodynamics, to block dirt and snow from getting stuck inside? guess these will collect dirt 100 times more than regular tires no?
update: similar questions here https://m.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=206&v=sc8ghIqKqnI&...
Re: Michelin Airless
#59Do tire manufacturers really have the desire to develop tires with less tear?
Yes if they can charge a premium, and keep product loyalty. Given they are targeting fleet reliability and up-time i can see it happening.
These tyres are also going to wear out just as much, or maybe faster, than standard tyres.
Re: Michelin Airless
#60Earlier quoted context omitted.
Or how about bicycles?
Tweels are probably too heavy to be viable on bicycles.