Airless tires: Revolutionizing the road

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  Quantumrun Foresight
• April 28, 2023

Despite the initial skepticism, Michelin's airless tire prototype, Uptis, has received positive feedback from test riders and praise for its durability and eco-friendly design. Michelin is among several tire companies working on airless tires, but they were initially viewed as improbable as General Motor (GM)'s early concepts for autonomous vehicles. However, the two businesses have targeted having airless tires in the marketplace by 2024.

Airless tires context

Engineers have designed an airy honeycomb structure using 3D printing that is flexible near the edges and sturdy in the center to maintain the wheel. The exterior tread is also produced using a 3D printer, and Michelin claims it can be renewed as the tread wears down. Traditional car tires have to be substituted whenever this occurs or when a new tread pattern or composition is required, such as converting winter tires to summer ones. 

Compared to a traditional pneumatic tire, the airless tire has various advantages. The most apparent benefit is that customers will never have to worry about a flat tire again, even if they run over shattered glass or random debris. In addition, these tires don't need to be serviced or checked for air pressure regularly. Therefore, any car equipped with Uptis tires can go without a jack, spare, and tire pressure-monitoring apparatus, saving weight and money.

One of the most apparent hazards at first appearance is the possibility of material being trapped in the spokes. The spokes should be able to flex freely to work effectively. Hard items can easily harm the spokes if caught inside, and sand, mud, or snow can block them, causing the wheels to become imbalanced. Additionally, airless tires tend to be heavier, negatively impacting a vehicle's fuel efficiency and performance.

Disruptive impact

Innovative ideas like Sensors in Vision tires might play a crucial role in safety, particularly self-driving cars. These sensors will be able to identify the situation of the tires and alert the rider of any debris being stuck within the spokes. Moreover, if the systems know how much wear remains on the tires, they can better calculate when to engage the brakes to stop in time, helping reduce car accidents. Airless tires could open up new possibilities for vehicle design, allowing for more efficient use of space and offering greater design flexibility. Another advantage of airless tires is reduced maintenance. Without the need to regularly check and adjust tire pressure, vehicle owners could save time and costs.

With the decreasing demand for traditional tires, the environment will also benefit. Since tires will no longer have to be replaced, manufacturing these components will be reduced, lowering carbon emissions and waste. While some unemployment may result in the tire manufacturing industry, the same industry may finally attract fresh engineers excited to improve on this new tire format. 

Implications of airless tires

Wider implications of airless tires may include:

• New transportation regulations and policies, potentially leading to changes in road standards and vehicle inspection requirements.
• The development of further advancements in tire technology, potentially driving innovation in related industries such as material science and engineering. 
• Future vehicle models being designed to accommodate airless tires as a default.
• Municipal changes to road infrastructure, potentially leading to the development of new road materials and designs optimized for their use.
• Various small-scale impacts to the automotive industry, potentially leading to job losses in the tire manufacturing and repair sectors.
• Initial marketplace pushback from hesitant customers refusing to invest in airless tires based on price or safety concerns.

Questions to consider

• What would make you want to change to airless tires if you own a vehicle? 
• How else do you think automobile design will change because of this innovation?