Today, I'm pleased to announce an exciting new direction for something you use every day: car tires. In addition to our METL (bicycle and scooter), and lunar tire projects (NASA), STC has kicked off development of the first rubber-integrated, airless automotive tire made from shape memory alloys. Due to strict regulatory hurdles from the Department of Transportation, we are in talks with manufacturing partners and are kicking off a paid PoC project with a major (top 5) automaker this winter.
Our timing couldn't be better. The world is moving rapidly to electric vehicles, and people are asking, Do Electric Vehicles Need Special Tires? (Side note: everything that makes SMART tires great for EVs will also make them a phenomenal tire for gas-powered cars and trucks. My breakdown to follow is focused on addressing the $1T future EV industry, but later we will have a deep dive on trucking and other markets as well).
Electric vehicles need:
Heavy Loads: EVs are 10-20% heavier than gas-powered vehicles. Putting regular tires on an EV can cause the tires to wear more quickly.
Durability: Any car owner will tell you: tires wear unevenly, even when rotated. EVs make tread wear an even bigger problem.
Fuel Efficiency: Rolling resistance affects the fuel efficiency of the whole vehicle. Different optimization techniques are used in a conventional tire, such as special rubber compounds, rigid design patterns, and low profile tires
Here's what SMART Tires have to offer:
Heavy Loads: We support the heaviest of vehicles with a lightweight nickel titanium skeleton strong enough to support a 737 jet.
Durability: Flat footprints, zero flats, and extra durable tread compounds mean superior tread life with even wear characteristics and no downtime.
Fuel Efficiency: Perhaps the most unique characteristic of shape memory alloys is their extremely high energy return. This leads directly to low rolling resistance in a tire.
Quiet Operation: Other airless tires tend to be noisy. SMART tires have an ultra-quiet aerodynamic profile even when compared to the best air-filled tires.
More updates to follow. Since the beginning of SMART Tire, we've heard your questions and requests. MAKE THIS FOR MY CAR!! This is a huge commitment, and one we don’t take lightly. It has taken time to find the right partner and develop a path that leads to success in this highly competitive market. (Side note: yes, we are also considering NASCAR and Formula 1)
I believe we are now on that path, and it’s gonna be one helluva ride.
