Abstract: A support assembly for a vehicle travels along a road surface and rotates relative to the road surface and the vehicle. The first support assembly includes a spherical tread layer for contacting the road surface, a foam layer adjacent the spherical tread layer, the foam layer including adjustable elements for altering an outer physical contour of the spherical tread layer, the outer physical contour contacting the road surface, a spherical wheel/tire for supporting the spherical tread layer and the vehicle, and a drive system magnetically driving rotation of the spherical wheel/tire relative to the vehicle such that no portion of the spherical tread layer physically contacts the vehicle.

Abstract: A pneumatic motorcycle tire 1 is provided with a tread pattern having an intended tire rotational direction N. The tread portion 2 is provided on each side of the tire equator C with a unit pattern 9 repeatedly arranged in the tire circumferential direction to form the tread pattern. The unit pattern 9 comprises: a first oblique groove 11 extending axially outwardly from a vicinity of the tire equator C and obliquely, while inclining to the rotational direction N; a second oblique groove 12 disposed on the toe-side in the rotational direction N of the first oblique groove 11 and extending therealong; and a narrow oblique groove 15 extending axially outwardly from the axially inner end of the first oblique groove 11 to the axially inner end of the second oblique groove 12, while inclining to the opposite direction to the rotational direction N.

Abstract: A pneumatic motorcycle tire includes a tread portion provided in each half tread region with a unit pattern repeatedly arranged in the tire circumferential direction to form a unidirectional tread pattern. The unit pattern includes a first groove extending axially outwardly from a vicinity of the tire equator, while inclining to the opposite direction to the intended tire rotational direction; a second groove disposed on the heel-side in the tire rotational direction of the first groove and extending along the first groove; a third groove disposed on the heel-side of the second groove and extending along the second groove; a fourth groove disposed on the heel-side of the third groove and extending along the third groove; and a narrow groove extending from an axially inner end of the first groove to an axially inner end of the fourth groove, while inclining to the intended tire rotational direction.

Abstract: A tire for an autonomous vehicle includes a pair of sidewalls that extend to a ground-engaging tread. The tread includes a plurality of hexagonally-shaped tread elements, and the tire includes an outer diameter that is at least four times larger than a width of the tread. Selected hexagonally-shaped tread elements may be formed with features to increase traction on icy roads.

Abstract: A support assembly for a vehicle travels along a road surface and rotates relative to the road surface and the vehicle. The first support assembly includes a spherical tread layer for contacting the road surface, a foam layer adjacent the spherical tread layer, the foam layer including adjustable elements for altering an outer physical contour of the spherical tread layer, the outer physical contour contacting the road surface, a spherical wheel/tire for supporting the spherical tread layer and the vehicle, and a drive system magnetically driving rotation of the spherical wheel/tire relative to the vehicle such that no portion of the spherical tread layer physically contacts the vehicle.

Abstract: A system for sensing tire parameters in the remote monitoring and management of a fleet of autonomous vehicles is provided. The system includes at least one autonomous vehicle that is supported by at least one tire. At least one sensor is affixed to the tire for sensing tire parameters. Means are provided for communicating data generated by the sensor to a control system on the vehicle, and a mobile network receives the sensor data from the vehicle control system. A fleet management server receives the sensor data from the mobile network, and means are provided to generate commands for the autonomous vehicle in real time based upon the data generated by the sensor. A method for sensing tire parameters in the remote monitoring and management of a fleet of autonomous vehicles is also provided.

Abstract: A tread for a tire includes a first circumferential main groove, a second circumferential main groove, and a third circumferential main groove. The first, second, and third circumferential main grooves together define a first shoulder rib, a first intermediate rib, a second intermediate rib, and a second shoulder rib. The third circumferential main groove includes a plurality of connecting bridges spaced circumferentially within the third circumferential main groove and axially joining the second intermediate rib and second shoulder rib.

Abstract: The present application relates to a tire (2) comprising a tread portion (4) and sidewalls (6) terminating with beads, with inner sides defining an annular cavity; a deformable structure (8) located in the annular cavity in contact with the inner side of the tread portion (4), said structure (8) comprising bendable elements (10); wherein the bendable elements (10) of the deformable structure (8) comprise a piezoelectric material (102) so as to produce electrical energy from bending of said elements (10) and comprise at least one thermoelectric material (101, 103) so as to produce electrical energy from heat of said elements.