Abstract: An assembly determines operating parameters of a tire. The assembly includes a tripod sensor mounted within an inner cavity of the tire underneath a crown portion and an innerliner on which the tripod sensor is mounted. The tripod sensor includes a tri-axial accelerometer for creating a circumferential signal for determining slip ratio, a lateral signal for determining a slip angle, and a radial signal for determining load on the tire.

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.