Michelin unveils Vision for tire of the future

Montreal, Canada – Michelin has introduced a remarkable new concept tire called Vision, which features a range of its future-oriented and sustainable mobility technologies.

The concept, said the tire maker, represents a convergence of innovations already explored by its R&D teams towards meeting the needs of a circular economy and sustainable mobility in the future.

The Vision project was launched in autumn 2016, led by  Mostapha El-Oulhani, a group designer. It took inputs from many sources including city motorists, race drivers, farmers, airline pilots and even young children.

The tire is printed in 3D and ‘rechargeable’ according to its level of wear and mobility, said Michelin, claiming Vision to be the world’s first tire that ‘recharges’.

The use of 3D printers, it added, makes 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 optimised and its depth is reduced in order to reduce its thickness and make the tire more efficient in terms of materials.

An ‘alveolar’ interior architecture does away with the need for air in the Vision tire, which instead relies on an interior architecture capable of supporting the vehicle while guaranteeing  comfort and safety.

Sensors fitting in the Vision tire provide real-time information about its condition and via a mobile application “can make an appointment to change the tire’s destination, depending on the user’s needs,” Michelin also stated.