Michelin Vision concept tyres are among the "25 Best inventions of 2017”
Having analysed thousands of projects from all over the world, the team of the famous American magazine Time have recently made up the rating of the best inventions of the year. Michelin Vision concept tyres are among them.
They were unveiled this summer, in Montreal at Michelin’s Movin’On summit. Before proceeding with the project development, the Michelin company did a survey of its potential customers from all around the world trying to find out what qualities the tyres of the future should have. According to the respondents, effectiveness, eco-friendliness and safety are very important.
The company tried to implement these qualities in Michelin Vision. The concept tyres are made from completely biodegradable materials, and their structure is similar to the structure of natural materials, in particular, corals, due to which the ultimate strength of the product is ensured. There is no air inside the tyres, therefore, there is no risk of flats. However, the most revolutionary feature might be the opportunity to print the tread pattern using the 3D printer, which allows to promptly adapt the tyres not only to the type of the road surface but to the weather conditions as well, and also to recover a worn tread with minimum material costs. In fact, such a tyre can last as long as the vehicle itself. The built-in sensors will monitor its condition in real time, and a special digital application will allow you to start the printing process remotely.
Though, according to Terry Gettys, the head of the project, vehicles fitted with such tyres will appear on public roads not earlier than in 20 years. For today, scientists still have to solve difficult tasks: firstly, there should be found a way to print a tread quickly, just in a few minutes, secondly, each vehicle owner should be provided with an access to 3D-printers.
The rating of the best inventions is published by Time annually. Traditionally, finalists are randomly arranged, because the list contains the most various inventions which cannot be compared using specific criteria. However, all of them are characterised by functionality and innovation. Apart from Michelin Vision Tyres, the list of the best innovations of 2017 includes lifts that use the magnetic levitation tech and can move in different directions, the technology that allows growing food products at the ocean bottom, the mug that heats coffee, and many other useful inventions.