Hankook iFlex: The Airless Tire
One of the worst experiences that can happen when driving is a blowout. It can happen anytime, anywhere, and can be a lot of trouble, from making you late all the way to a causing a crash.
Various tire manufacturers have been hard at work trying to develop a puncture-proof tire; from run-flats with sidewalls that stay rigid even if there is no air in them to tires filled with a gelatinous goo that can block a hole as soon as it appears, there are a lot of different ideas to help you prevent a flat from ruining your day.
Hankook presents the iFlex, a prototype that goes one step further: its insides are made with a honeycomb structure. They are surprisingly resistant to lateral forces, and environmentally friendly, thanks to their use of non-polluting materials.
Up until now, Hankook hasn’t tested the iFlex at speeds over 130 km/h.
The manufacturer also announced that since this is the fifth generation of the concept, they had the opportunity of streamlining the build process. Manufacturing the iFlex was done in only four steps instead of eight. It is also easier to recycle when it is worn out.
Obviously, this is only a prototype. There is no launch date set, and the price is another issue entirely.