TYRES: Self-inflating tyres a reality

Checking the air pressure on your car tyres could be a thing of the past if Goodyear's new tyre technology proves its worth.

The American tyre company is continuing development on its innovative Air Maintenance Technology (AMT) that features an inventive, low self-inflating mechanism. The new tyre tech regulates the air pressure inside the tyre via the clever valve system hooked up to a small 'pump tube' that runs the diameter of the tyre and can intake and expel air from inside the tyre automatically. It eliminates the need for external inflation pressure intervention or electronic devices, says Goodyear.

The entire AMT system is contained within the tyre itself and works by using the tyre's own weight and motion to compress the small pump tube, which then pipes air into and out of the tyre when required, thus regulating the air pressure.

Goodyear's internal test results show the AMT tyres maintained optimum air pressure over extended periods of time.

Check out the video below for a visual explanation of how the system works. It sounds complex but is relatively simple in execution and could revolutionise the way we see tyres.

Imagine never having to pump up your tyres again
As the only thing between a vehicle and the road, it goes without saying that tyres are crucially important to the efficient running of a motor vehicle and the AMT tyre has the potential to improve not only safety, via an optimal contact patch with the road, but fuel efficiency too.

Under-inflated tyres reduce fuel economy and this is an issue that Goodyear is hoping to solve with its first public trial of the AMT tyre technology, which have begun testing on trucks and commercial vehicles, with a view towards making it available for passenger vehicles at a later date.

Since the self-inflating/deflating tyre technology was introduced at the at 2012 Hanover Truck show, Germany, late September, it has been given the Popular Mechanics 2012 Breakthrough Award.