Michelin ties design challenge to launch of first radial tyre

ERJ staff report (TB)

Detroit, Michigan -- Michelin North America Inc. has selected “City 2046: Art, Life and Ingenuity” as the theme for the 2012 Michelin Challenge Design to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the launch of the first commercially viable radial tyre.

Those interested in participating are asked to present their vision of city transportation for Paris, Shanghai, Mumbai, Rio or Los Angeles for the year 2046. Each of these cities has a specific set of challenges, Michelin said, and disruptive innovation may be what each needs to get transportation from the formula in use today to that of 2046.

Participants will design a personal, ground-based vehicle capable of transporting between two and 10 people in one of the five cities, Michelin said, taking into consideration each city's specific transportation issues.

The 2012 competition will be the event's 11th, and already it elicited the strongest response in the event's history, the company said. The Challenge has received nearly 3,000 entries from participants in 98 countries in the first 10 years, including 970 this past year. Michelin has 34 of those works on display at this year's Detroit Auto show, under way at Detroit's Cobo Hall through Jan. 23.

“Through Michelin Challenge Design, we obtain the foresight to address potential transportation challenges and can use our research and development to better prepare everyone for a greater, sustainable mobility future,” said John Moloney, Michelin's vice president of OE marketing for North and South America.

Michelin created the Challenge originally “to recognise and support design by providing an opportunity for designers from all over the world to present their most interesting works at one of the world´s premiere auto shows.”

For more information or to see the 2011 winners, go to the Michelin Challenge Design website. The 2011 Challenge Design's theme was “PLUS 10 - The Best is Yet to Come!” featuring participants' ideas as to vehicle design in their own country/region in 2021.

Entries are judged by a jury of automotive industry design professionals.

From Tire Business (A Crain publication)

Website of Michelin Challenge Design