Motorists may have been given a hand in keeping their
car insurance bills down in future, after Michelin unveiled a new wheel design that promises to make significant changes to the way people drive.
The Michelin Active Wheel integrates the tyre, braking system, suspension and motorisation into one unit - effectively shifting the drivetrain to the driving wheel, the Daily Telegraph reports.
Its latest incarnation was revealed at Challenge Bibendum, a symposium in Rio de Janeiro about eco-friendly motoring.
Peter Snelling, Michelin's head of communications, said the quality of electric suspension in the wheel improves active safety, while a digital board controls vehicle stability and road handling.
These factors could make cars running on the Active Wheel safer all round, which may contribute to lower car insurance premiums.
"The absence of a motor under the bonnet means that the entire front of the vehicle can be dedicated to absorbing shocks, enhancing passive safety," Mr Snelling told the newspaper.
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