Especially when riding a motorcycle, you’re forced to push it to the nearest repair shop. It's such a hassle, right?
But there's good news for all of you, Ladies. Now there's anti-puncture tire technology!
Seriously? Seriously! Let’s get to know this tire better!
Designed Long Ago
The rubber air-filled tire, as we know it today, was initially invented by Robert W. Thompson, a Scottish engineer, in 1847. This type of tire is known as a "pneumatic tire" because the compressed air inside it absorbs shocks.
However, because it wasn’t mass-produced, Dunlop founder John Boyd Dunlop seized this golden opportunity and popularized it in 1888.
Today, pneumatic tires are the most commonly used tires on motorcycles, cars, bicycles, and other vehicles.
After World War I, the demand for tires that could withstand all terrains and weather conditions increased. This is when JV Martin, an American, seized the opportunity and made a brilliant invention in the 1930s: the airless tire!
Unlike pneumatic tires, his invention was made of wood layered with rubber and didn't require air compression. Unfortunately, similar to Robert W. Thompson's case, this invention was not mass-produced for commercial needs and was not further developed.
Almost a century later, the idea of airless tires for commercial use was seriously developed by Michelin, a renowned French tire company, with the development of airless tire technology called UPTIS (Unique Puncture-proof Tire System).
What Are the Advantages?
In terms of appearance, UPTIS doesn’t look much different from conventional tires. However, structurally, UPTIS is designed with walls that act as supports between the tire tread and the spokes. This structure allows the suspension to absorb shocks more optimally when the vehicle passes over uneven terrain.
In terms of materials, UPTIS is made using a combination of rubber, aluminum, and fiberglass to support the vehicle’s weight. At a glance, this tire works almost like tank treads that are flexible over all types of terrain.
Finally, because fewer raw materials are required, these tires are also more environmentally friendly. So, from the structure and materials, Ladies don't need to worry about flat tires on the road anymore.
After a series of trial-and-error processes, these tires were successfully tested on 50 DHL Express vans for long-distance deliveries in Singapore. It was later revealed that a model of UPTIS for flying cars is also being prepared.
In one of their official statements, Michelin and GM said that these tires are planned to be sold to the public in 2025.
If airless tires are officially marketed to the public, does this mean tire repair businesses are about to go out of business? Download Fitie now and find out the answers!