TECH & INNOVATION: Local entrepreneur pitches puncture-proof tyres

Luyanda Vilakazi – Founder of Punture Proof talks about One of the holy grails of motoring is the prospect of puncture-proof tyres that never need to be filled with air. <br /> <br /> Korean tyre company Hankook showed the latest version of its non-pneumatic i-Flex prototype tyre at last week’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, US.<br /> <br /> Instead of being filled with compressed air like regular tyres, the i-Flex is connected to the rim via multilayer flexible spokes. <br /> In addition to being immune to punctures and the accidents they can cause, Hankook says the airless tyres are low maintenance, with no need for air pressure maintenance. <br /> <br /> The i-Flex is a 10-inch tyre with a width of 105mm, and to absorb road shocks and bear a load, it adopts the design of a multilayer interlocking spoke inspired by the cellular structure of living organisms. <br /> <br /> Hankook has not said when the i-Flex tyre might be available to buy, stating that it was continuing research and development for further improvement. <br /> <br /> Michelin and Goodyear are also working on puncture-proof airless tyres. <a href="https://www.kaya959.co.za">kaya 959</a>