Topic: New Michelin Prototype Airless Tires

[JohnM]

I'd heard about these but hadn't seen any pictures.

As far as the military is concerned I guess you would have a hell of a time shooting a hole in them.

I'd wonder about what happens in ice and snow with an open structure like that.  Also, if you leave the car parked for a week in the spring starlings would probably nest in them.  Imagine the racket on your first drive down the street!

Also, it would be interesting to see how the rolling resistance compares to pneumatics.

[HeliDriver]

I think Michelin calls that the "Tweel". (At least, that's what they called it back in 2005  http://www.autos.ca/forum/index.php/topic,24487.0.html )

Have you seen Goodyear's recent concept for a self-inflating tire: http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/news/industry/how-it-works-self-inflating-tire ?

That one's a little more interesting, IMO, insofar as I can see it actually being used in the real world one day.

[aquadorhj]

I actually have seen those air-less "twheels" in use on light construction vehicles, like bob cats.

i thought they were fairly common now for that type of usage.  next time i see one, i'll take a picture.