Tweel

[thebttmline]

Have you guys seen the "tweel"?
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/03/autom ... ner=rssnyt


Steve

[fordman]

sounds kind of phony. like the tires on the cars in IRobot. good idea but i don't know

[67F250CS]

I kind of like the idea only in the name of safety. I have had a few close calls from flats over the years. Seen a few wrecks also because of cars and trucks hitting stuff and losing a tire.
If it makes the road safer and my insurance company gives a discount Im for them.

[Comet]

I heard about these late last year. they were at SEMA too. I didn't open the link, so sorry if I repeat anything. The rock crawling crowd is interested because of their relative indestructability. Problem they are having is making them pliable enough for traction, yet rigid enough to support the vehicle. This will likely be the challenge with this tech. for car apps as well. They will likely have to be made for specific weight apps. to optimize ride comfort, mileage, and durability. Trucks that carry loads will especially be hard to apply.

[67effie]

I curious to see what kind of a smoke show you can do with these!!!

[Joe Kriston]

Kudos to Michelin for working on this...I share some of the sentiments as 67F250 and Keith...I've driven from Arizona to Chicago and back about 10 times and nearly half of those times,I had a blowout(curiously,each time it was the right rear tire )...Usually I was going about 80 MPH in the far left lane...I've taught each of my kids when driving,how to not panic during a blowout,keep your foot off the brake etc. ...Especially after all those lawsuits involving Ford and Firestone,I think something like the 'Tweel' is a concept that is long overdue....

[spartman]

Interesting concept.

I personally think that they would have to come a long long long way with them before I would put them on my truck or cars.

I know riding on 4 pockets of air isn't the best idea in the world, but riding on 4 pieces of "plastic" doesn't thrill me either.

Just my 2 cents or what ever it is worth these days.

[fordman]

thats what i don't really like about it. maybe they should use a steel rim with springs in it like valve springs and then another piece of steel rom with the tread attached to it. and then see if you can smoke them.

[Chasbod]

Can I get them in whitewall or raised white lettering?

[thebttmline]

>>Can I get them in whitewall or raised white lettering?

That'll be tough with "spokes", but surely we can find something good to do with those spokes. We sure did as kids - a clothespin and a baseball card is all it took to get that nice Thap Thap Thap.....


Steve

[fordman]

might want to get a tougher card though to make the sound louder to hear it in the cab.

[willowbilly3]

Well the flexible spokes might be a new twist but the tires have been around forever. Even today there are several different kinds of non-pnuematic rubber tires for skid-steer loaders. And look at the custom wheel market. How long before they just have a 28-30 inch rim with a rubber band around it.
I do tend to agree with Keith's philosiphy on tires but take it one step further. Why are we still using piston engines with reciprocating crankshafts and intake/exhaust valves. Same thing we had 120 years ago. Surely by now someone could have came up with a more cost effective to turn explosions into shaft rotation. And do we really even need explosions? Some people think not.
(Read the Viktor Schauberger link on implosion technology)