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Michelin

Last updated June 8, 2026
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Innovation Areas

Non-pneumatic wheel architectures: MichelinLast 5 Years Research Landscape

Conventional pneumatic structures suffer from pressure loss and bead separation, necessitating structural spokes and hub adapters to maintain load-bearing integrity without compressed air.

What technical problems is Michelin addressing in Non-pneumatic wheel architectures?

Inflatable structural load instability

(53)evidences

Flexible inflatable beams and enclosures lack the rigid geometric stability required to maintain load-bearing shapes under high compressive forces.

Interface bead separation failure

(61)evidences

Heavy vehicle tire beads frequently detach from rims during low-pressure operation or intense lateral loading, causing total wheel assembly failure.

Spoke joint kinetic loss

(59)evidences

Conventional non-pneumatic spoke designs suffer from excessive mass and energy dissipation at the elastomeric joints during rapid acceleration cycles.