French tire company Michelin has unveiled Vision, a concept tire designed to make mobility safer, more efficient, and more environmentally friendly. This concept tire, which is airless, connected, rechargeable, customizable and organic, is both a wheel and a tire.
Michelin began by listening to people, from city motorists to race drivers, from farmers to airline pilots, from engineering equipment drivers to children barely old enough to ride bikes. Some 90 people, divided into four panels around the world were questioned about their relationship with mobility. From these discussions, important needs were identified, in particular concerning sustainability. No users wanted to reduce their need for safety. Grip in all weather conditions and effective braking in all circumstances were essential. In addition, users embraced environmental responsibility. They wanted to consume cleanly. Why choose between a fully biodegradable tire and a rechargeable tire? Jean-Dominique SENARD and the members of the Corporate Innovation Board said: “Give us both”.
The materials used, which were both bio-sourced and biodegradable, minimized the tire’s environmental footprint. Vision is the world’s first tire that recharges. With the aid of 3D printers, it is possible to use just the right amount of rubber on the tire and thus extend its life depending on needs, thereby ensuring mobility in all situations. The tread design is optimized and its depth is reduced in order to reduce its thickness and make the tire more efficient in terms of materials. The tread design is adapted, in accordance with the user’s mobility needs, with a triple concern for comfort, safety and sustainability.
Vision does away with air, relying instead on an interior architecture capable of supporting the vehicle, ensuring the solidity of the wheel and thus guaranteeing both comfort and safety. Vision can neither explode or blowout.
Equipped with sensors, Vision also provides real time information about its condition. What’s more, thanks to Michelin’s mobile application, it’s possible to simply make an appointment to change the tire’s destination, depending on the user’s needs.
all images and video courtesy of Michelin