DETROIT (Reuters) - Michelin has unveiled an integrated tire and wheel that runs without air -- a concept that the world's biggest tire maker said could one day boost car performance and make pneumatic tyres obsolete.
The French group said its "Tweel" would make its debut in inventor Dean Kamen's high-tech iBOT wheelchairs and a four-wheel vehicle from Segway called a Centaur.
It is still gathering real-world experience for the product in construction equipment, military vehicles and passenger cars.
"In reality we are looking on the order of 10 to 15 years before the concept can be mature enough and well enough integrated into the (passenger) vehicle design," Terry Gettys, head of Michelin's research and development center in South Carolina, told reporters at the North American International Auto Show on Sunday.
He said radial tires -- which Michelin invented -- will be the standard "for a long time to come" and that Michelin would keep rolling out "run-flat" tires that let motorists keep driving after a puncture.
He stressed it was up to manufacturers to embrace the Tweel concept, which Michelin aimed to develop with industrial partners.
Citing research that three of four cars on the road have at least one underinflated tire, Gettys said the Tweel concept could boost safety and make it much easier to handle running over curbs or potholes.
The Tweel's see-through hub and spoke design make it look like a black rubber wagon wheel. It is nearly as good as standard pneumatic tires when it comes to fuel economy and improved lateral stiffness means it handles well, Gettys said.
Tweels would cost more to make than standard tires, but they would eliminate the need for mounting and balancing tires and let motorists simply replace worn-out tread, he said.
In 2003, Michelin held the top share of the global tire market at 20.1 percent, followed by Bridgestone's 18.4 percent and Goodyear's 16.9 percent.
