Abstract: A pneumatic tire for an electric vehicle includes a pair of bead areas, a ground-contacting tread disposed radially outwardly of the pair of bead areas, and a pair of sidewalls. Each sidewall extends from a respective bead area to the tread. The tread joins each sidewall at a respective shoulder and the shoulders include an inboard shoulder and an outboard shoulder. A radius on the inboard shoulder is larger than a radius on the outboard shoulder. Physical features are formed on the tread, and each feature is formed in the shape of a fin. The features increase air flow towards an electric vehicle motor located inboardly of the tire. At least one of the fins includes a leading edge formed with micro-features.

Abstract: A flying machine having a light weight housing is described. Th light weight housing includes a cabin for housing one or more passengers, a flight control system, and at least two nonpneumatic wheels. Each non-pneumatic wheel includes a ground contacting annular tread portion; a plurality of vanes extending between a hub of the non-pneumatic wheel and the annular tread, wherein each vane is formed of a reinforced layer of fabric, wherein each nonpneumatic wheel is mounted on a rotatable support arm, and wherein the wheel is rotated at a high rate of speed to generate lift of the flying machine.

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 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 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: 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.