Some of the new buzzwords around tyre technology and what we can expect soon, revolve around smart tyres, airless tyres, data-driven design and sustainable eco-friendly materials.
Smart tyres now include the integration of sensors to monitor key parameters such as pressure, temperature, and wear in realtime, transmitting data to vehicle systems to improve safety and performance, while airless tyres function as their name implies, without air.
Airless technology
Major manufacturers like Bridgestone and Michelin are leading the way in developing airless tyre technology, by using advanced computer-designed structures and materials, eliminating the need for air pressure, and along with this, the risk of flats. This, according to engineerlive.com The two global manufacturers have developed the tyre using new computerenabled structures and materials, with the tyre able to support up 1-tonne vehicles driving up to 60km per hour. The implementation of computer generation has allowed innovations in design, enabling performance at higher speeds and weights.
Due to these developments, that airless tyres could soon replace pneumatic tyres, has become a reality. The tyre is made up a rubber thread that surrounds and encases a spoke structure. The spokes can bounce and bend at high speeds and weights without impacting adversely on fuel consumption. This provides a smooth and safe ride without compromising fuel economy, an improvement on previous airless tyres. The spokes are made of glass fibre reinforced with plastic, creating a flexible load-bearing structure, while the inner wheel is constructed using aluminium, as standard on many modern vehicles. The outer wheel is still made of rubber to provide durability to the tyre.
Sustainable solutions
At the same time, the industry is fast shifting The implementation of computer generation has allowed innovations in design, enabling performance at higher speeds and weights. Some of the new buzzwords around tyre technology and what we can expect soon, revolve around smart tyres, airless tyres, data-driven design and sustainable eco-friendly materials. its focus on sustainable solutions.
Biobased polymers derived from renewable sources and recycled materials are all being used in tyre construction to reduce reliance on traditional petrochemicals and lower the carbon footprint. Manufacturers are also exploring new materials like high-performance polymers and composites, in the interests of improved durability, reduced rolling resistance (for better fuel efficiency), and better grip in various conditions.
Benefits of an airless tyre
Both Michelin and Bridgestone recently released their versions of an airless tyre. This according to engineerlive.com. Michelin claims implementing tyres that do not puncture creates a safer environment for commercial vehicles and further enables the use of self-driving vehicles in commercial settings. Michelin further suggests this could potentially reduce labour and operating costs, while lessening the overall cost of ownership for drivers. Interestingly, DHL and La Poste small vans in France have already been fitted with
the tyres despite the technology remaining at prototype stage. Of course, one of the obvious benefits of airless tyres is that they reduce the chances of punctures to zero, thereby decreasing costs associated with crashes or delays from tyre blowouts, and ultimately, leading to more reliable and on-time deliveries and improved knock-on effects throughout the industry. Crucially too, the environment stands to benefit, as the reduction in tyres being scrapped means higher efficiency of tyre use and less raw materials being required to service the same number of vehicles. All well and good but changing over to airless tyres could be a slow process, according to engineerlive.com.
Production costs are much higher compared to pumped tyres, thereby increasing initial purchasing costs; costs that are most likely to be passed onto the consumer, making it difficult for the new tyres to establish themselves in in the market. Nonetheless, the higher purchasing cost is unlikely to hinder their eventual entry into the market, due to their economic and environmental benefits. Michelin estimates that close on 20 percent of tyres are discarded due to either, flats and rapid pressure loss, along with irregular wear and tear caused by poor tyre pressure.
This number adds up to 200 million tyres per year, and two million tonnes of discarded resources. 8 Airless tyres could massively reduce this number, benefiting the environment as less raw materials will be required to process the same quantity of tyres, and benefiting operators as less tyres will need to be purchased.
Data-driven design
As far as data-driven design is concerned, the industry is making use of advanced computational tools, including AI and simulation, to allow for more efficient design and testing of new tyre technologies, which they claim, enables rapid prototyping and refinement of structures and compounds to meet specific performance requirements.
Run-flat tyre technology
Though they do not qualify as new technology as such, run flat tyres (RFT) are becoming ever more popular, with some vehicle manufacturers making them standard in new vehicles. Their main benefit is that you can continue driving after a puncture, until you get to a tyre store, or find a safe area to change your tyre. However, they do have their limits, with most allowing you to travel approximately 80 kilometers at a maximum speed of up to 80km/h. Whilst RFT has been heralded as groundbreaking technology, it does have its drawbacks. The tyres are stiffer and deliver a less comfortable ride due to reinforced sidewalls. They are also more expensive. Added to that, limited repairability means a flat often requires full replacement. Many vehicles designed with run-flats also lack a spare tyre, leaving drivers without backup if they switch to conventional tyres.
