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posted by janrinok on Wednesday July 15 2015, @09:46AM   Printer-friendly
from the do-they-still-work-as-kid's-swings? dept.

Now, Hankook has completed initial testing on its fifth-generation airless tire, dubbed the iFlex. The tires do not require any air pressure, instead relying on a new type of eco-friendly material (Hancook demurs when asked for details). Geometric shapes built into the material provide the bounce and springiness normally provided by air pressure. But, unlike the previous iFlex, this version's designed to mount onto a traditional rim, making it compatible with current vehicles.

Hankook ran the iFlex through a battery of tests to compare it to more conventional rubber, measuring durability, hardness, stability, slalom and speed, at up to 80 mph. The company says the tires matched conventional tires in terms of performance.

Anyone who got a flat from the epidemic of potholes this Spring or who is plagued by nails and other road debris that cause slow leaks will welcome this development. Naturally, the real question is whether it's spelled, "tire" or "tyre."


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  • (Score: 4, Insightful) by Gravis on Wednesday July 15 2015, @10:18AM

    by Gravis (4596) on Wednesday July 15 2015, @10:18AM (#209288)
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  • (Score: 4, Interesting) by tempest on Wednesday July 15 2015, @12:46PM

    by tempest (3050) on Wednesday July 15 2015, @12:46PM (#209341)

    Yet we still don't have them. I got enthusiastic over this talking with a friend years ago due to pot-hole resistance, and I've always wondered what the holdup is. Are they having problems with manufacturing, the design, or what?

    • (Score: 2) by Gravis on Thursday July 16 2015, @11:35AM

      by Gravis (4596) on Thursday July 16 2015, @11:35AM (#209886)

      i think the holdup is most likely an issue with durability. either turning causes too much stress which leads to a rapid breakdown or they are too effective and last much longer and thus cutting into their profits. however, it might be a safety issue. i mean, when one of these tires finally dies, does the entire wheel tear apart, resulting in your car being on the ground? this may be why they redesigned it to go on a rim. however, i think it's entirely possible that they are just coasting off their current business and dont want to "spoil a good thing".

  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday July 15 2015, @02:37PM

    by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday July 15 2015, @02:37PM (#209391)

    I remember seeing them on the show beyond 2000 in the early 80s.

    It is probably one of 3 things.

    Cost - they end up costing 8x what a normal tire does and people just say 'hm thats neat' and buy what they know.
    Comfort - they may be so 'floaty' or too 'hard' and people just say 'hm thats neat' and buy what they know.
    Materials - they only last a short time and people are not looking to switch out the tires that soon and people just say 'hm thats neat' and buy what they know.

    The real break thru would be better recycling of them or making them last 50x as long. It would help with the huge mountains of tires we make every year. We have some of it but we need more things to do with the extra stuff and better easier ways to reclaim the material.

    • (Score: 1) by BigJ on Wednesday July 15 2015, @03:25PM

      by BigJ (3685) on Wednesday July 15 2015, @03:25PM (#209412)

      I could see fuel efficiency being impacted as well. If there is more material flex than the traditional sidewalls, there will be more energy lost to internal friction.

    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday July 15 2015, @06:08PM

      by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday July 15 2015, @06:08PM (#209483)

      If you make them last 50x as long, then people won't buy as many tires. That means less profit for the tire companies. Instead, tire companies develop and patent the hell out of new tire designs so that no one else can make them and drive the tire companies out of business.

      • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday July 16 2015, @11:53PM

        by Anonymous Coward on Thursday July 16 2015, @11:53PM (#210242)

        Oh the good ole "free market"