# Air-Free Tires Michelin Reinvents the Wheel with Tweel By Mike Weldon | Published 2009-05-12 | Autos Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/michelin-tweel-a-wheel-without-a-tire References: [michelinman](http://michelinman.com/difference/releases/pressrelease11142005a.html?source=1) Of course it's bling bling to have a low profile tire and a big rim. But what about a tire that doesn't even have any air? From the Michelin Website: Michelin Tweel, the revolutionary non-pneumatic tire and wheel assembly invented at Michelin's North American research center in Greenville, S.C., is quite simply a tire without air. Michelin is developing a variety of applications for the innovation ranging from the [iBOT wheelchair](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/leaning-wheelchair) to construction equipment to military vehicles and more. The world's largest tire maker, Michelin (www.michelin.com) manufactures and sells tires for every type of vehicle, including airplanes, automobiles, bicycles, earthmovers, farm equipment, heavy-duty trucks, motorcycles and the space shuttle. The company also publishes travel guides, maps and atlases covering Europe, Asia, Africa and North America. Headquartered in Greenville, S.C., Michelin North America employs more than 23,000 and operates 20 plants in 16 locations. "Michelin innovation is the fuel that drives our market-leading products and customer satisfaction," said Terry Gettys, president of [Michelin Americas Research and Development Corp](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/michelin-xice-snow-tires). "Tweel has certainly captured the imagination of the transportation world with its potential to radically transform mobility. We are honored to have been recognized by the editors of [Time](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smart-dash-cam) magazine for Michelin's success in improving mobility in every form." - Time ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.7/10 - Popularity: 93% | Activity: 99% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 90% men, 10% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/autos) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Non-pneumatic Tires:** The development of non-pneumatic tires by Michelin presents disruptive innovation opportunities in transportation and mobility industries. - **Airless Tires:** The concept of air-free tires creates disruptive innovation opportunities in the design and manufacture of tires for various industries. - **Tweel Technology:** The development of Tweel technology by Michelin has disruptive innovation opportunities in the production of non-pneumatic tires and wheel assemblies for various vehicles. ### Where This Applies - **Automotive:** The non-pneumatic tire technology developed by Michelin presents a disruptive innovation opportunity in the automotive industry, potentially leading to safer and more efficient vehicles. - **Construction:** The development of non-pneumatic tire technology can disrupt the construction industry with more durable tires that require less maintenance and downtime. - **Military/defense:** The air-free tire technology being developed by Michelin presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for the military and defense industries, enabling better mobility on rough terrain and reducing the risk of flats. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Airless Car Tires](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/airless-goodyear-tire.md) - [Airless Machinery Tires](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/airless-machine-tires.md) - [Airless Bicycle Tires](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/airless-bicycle-tires.md) - [Eco-Friendly Automotive Tires](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sustainable-tires.md) - [Hubless Airless eBikes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/topsecret-ebike.md) - [Steel-Made Mining Vehicle Wheels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/air-suspension-wheel.md) - [Omnidirectional Autonomous Vehicle Tires](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hankook-tire-wheelbot.md) - [Transforming Smart Vehicle Tires](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/conqueror-tire.md) - [Automated Tire-Changing Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tire-changing-system.md)