It looks like it's a joke... is this for real?
It seems to be real.
`As it turns out, running without air is not impossible'
Michelin research reinvents the wheel
Experts discuss future of nonpneumatic tires at gathering in Akron
By Jim Mackinnon
Beacon Journal business writer
Michelin has an idea for a radical new tire that could make today's radials obsolete.
You might say it is the company's no-air apparent.
Michelin calls its invention the Tweel, combining the tire and wheel in a way that could make flats a thing of the past. You see, you never need to inflate a Tweel -- the spoke-like contraption doesn't need air.
That possible nonpneumatic future was presented before about 200 tire engineers, scientists and chemists from around the world who gathered Tuesday at the Radisson Hotel in downtown Akron.
``As it turns out, running without air is not impossible,'' said Terry Gettys, president of Michelin Americas Research and Development Corp., based in South Carolina. He gave the keynote address about Michelin's research interests at the 24th annual Conference on Tire Science and Technology sponsored by the Tire Society. The conference ends today.
Michelin unveiled the Tweel and other new tire concepts at last January's Detroit Auto Show. The Tweel, which started development in 1998, basically is a rubber tread supported by flexible, polyurethane spokes. It is now in limited production and available as an option for the iBOT motorized wheelchair.
While a higher volume, commercially viable Tweel may be in production starting in 2007 for lightweight vehicles, it may take another 10 years before the Tweel is ready for regular cars and light trucks, Gettys said. It may also find use in military vehicles.
``The radial tire is the standard today and will be for a long time to come,'' Gettys said. But the Tweel ``we think is the long-term future,'' he said.
Michelin has to overcome some obstacles with the Tweel before it can fit on a Ford, Chevy or Chrysler, including reducing noise that begins when a vehicle hits 55 mph.
Timothy Rhyne, a researcher in South Carolina who helped develop the Tweel, said the concept tire performs much like a regular tire.
``Will the pneumatic tire be replaced? I don't know,'' he said.
Conference participants speculated on whether the Tweel represents the future.
``Eventually, I think so,'' said Uday Karmarkar, staff engineer in charge of tire testing for Akron Rubber Development Laboratory. ``There has to be more testing of the product. This one looks promising. I think this one is a good one.''
The Tweel is an interesting concept, said Joe Walter, professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Akron and former managing director of Bridgestone/Firestone's research and development in Europe.
There are patents dating back 50 years and more on replacements for pneumatic tires, he said. The difference now is that computer technology and materials science is making a nonair tire viable, he said.
While concepts like the Tweel may be years away from commercial viability, if ever realized, Michelin is pushing other tire products now that make some current technology obsolete.
One new tire, the X One, is aimed at large commercial trucks, Gettys said. The wide tire eliminates the need for large trucks and trailers to use double tires, he said.
The end result is an 18-wheel truck needs just 10 tires, while getting better gas mileage and the ability to carry larger payloads, he said.
One possible drawback in switching from 18 wheels to 10, Gettys said, is ``we'll have to change our country music songs.''
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jim Mackinnon can be reached at 330-996-3544 or
jmackinnon@thebeaconjournal.com 
