Smart mobility is as relevant as ever, with growing urbanisation rates in almost all countries across the globe. But the concept isn’t new. At least I recall reading about the future of driving when I was very young, and a university project concluded that in the future, cars would be able to connect to each other and slide onto some sort of rail system when driving on the highway, so nobody would have to worry about steering or speeding when covering the long stretches of the journey. Not surprising, the project couldn’t have been more wrong in its conclusion. But why didn’t it work? It would have reduced accidents, pollutant emissions, road wear and maintenance costs, and it would have probably been quite easy to develop guiding chips and software to let cars in and out of the chain.

Well, the answer is simple, and is proven by the fact that car sales are still going up worldwide in spite of an ever-growing range of alternative transportation methods available to the buyers: freedom. As global wealth keeps increasing, all societies can recognize that the first luxury people growing out of poverty take is to buy a car, in many cases even before considering taking out a mortgage to buy a house. Why do they do that? Obviously to signal their increased wealth to the people around them (it’s harder to show if your house is bought or rented), but also to enjoy the freedom of being able to go exactly where they want to go and when. In these corona times being able to move about without bumping into others in public transportation is of course also an important factor. If this wasn’t the case, car sales would be dropping rapidly. Public transportation is cheaper, if you compare it to total cost of ownership of a car it’s easy math, and in many cases it’s also faster and easier. Plus, you can be productive getting some work done or enjoying a good rest when you don’t have to sit at the wheel in a traffic jam.

For those who care about global warming and reducing the environmental impact, there’s even further incentive to get rid of the car, but still, this is not what we see in the new car sales figures – although you could argue that some people buy a new car because it pollutes less than the old one.

Bicycles

With all the new technology, it will be very interesting to see how smart mobility will be implemented in cities across the globe, and if it will change the trend for good. After all, it’s be big cities with massive population numbers that will make a difference for the planet. If we look at a city like Copenhagen, it has for many years focused on being the world’s best city to ride a bicycle in, and it has implemented many innovative structures allowing cyclists to zip from one place to another in a matter of minutes with minimal need to stop along the way. Some places bridges have been built just to cater to cyclists. No doubt you can get around faster and cheaper in Copenhagen if you ride a bike than by any other means of transportation.

Another thing that is becoming increasingly interesting in the big cities is the drone technology, now we have seen Chinese firefighters putting out high-rise fires using drones controlled from the ground, and many places they have also begun working as parcel or food delivery agents. But is there a viable case to argue that we will all be flying in private drone vessels instead of driving in cars in the coming decade? I wouldn’t bet my money on it. First of all, it would take long until the general public would trust a drone manufacturer enough to not fear dropping to the ground or being flung into a building or another drone mid-air at any moment. Second of all, they would most definitely run on electricity, which we know from electric cars means very heavy batteries and/or short operation times. Probably in colder regions you would also struggle with much lower performance during winter, and possibly weather conditions not allowing them to take off.

That’s another nightmare scenario – to be caught in a thunderstorm or hailstorm up in the air.

Naturally, the ultimate challenge would be that everyone would basically need to have a pilot license to operate them, and air traffic control would be an entirely new concept in this scenario. We have all seen movies like Stars Wars or The Fifth Element where flying vehicles somehow get into invisible lanes and layers, but it’s hard to see how that can go from fiction to reality.

Urban hubs

So, how can consumers most likely have their desire for freedom fulfilled within a smart mobility concept? Most likely by creating urban hubs or city line parking facilities, so it’s easy to take the car to, from, or between cities, but not inside them. At these hubs, you would park the car and jump on the next shuttle to anywhere in the city, or even ride a bike that you brought with you. Designing these hubs, along with ample green areas in the cities, is the only way that any city planner can create the grounds for real smart mobility, and not take people’s freedom away from them. Then the only thing left is to address the issue of the environmental impact caused by passenger cars, both combustion engine emissions and tyre pollution from wear during use and waste management at end of tyre life.

Tyre manufacturers don’t seem to be making huge changes to the technology yet, except for a few innovative products like the Michelin Tweel – and the ultimate challenge is of course that the vehicle so far has to be in contact with the road surface to move and handle satisfactorily. It’s hard to imagine any tyre concept where rubber against the road surface isn’t involved, and it’s also hard to imagine any tyre manufacturer supporting such a project, given the massive investments they have in their production equipment, which isn’t easy to readjust to put out something else. Well, at least not any serious manufacturer – there was a Chinese plant that stopped producing tyres this year to start producing face masks instead because of corona demand, but that probably says something about the quality of both products coming out of that factory, and it makes me very interested in reading their mission statement.

Ultimately, for tyre manufacturers to start investing in any game changing product development, we would have to see a development like we have seen with British Tobacco actually advertising against smoking – which is very much in line with the trends of the day but doesn’t seem rational from a business perspective. So, to conclude, I’ll venture a bet that we won’t see any drastic changes in how much smarter our mobility options will become until we either see a scenario that will allow people to experience the same level of freedom as owning a car, drastically reducing the environmental impact from driving and tyre waste, and/or creating cities where it utterly doesn’t make any sense to drive instead of hopping on the city’s smart mobility system, whatever that might turn out to be.

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Linglong Tire has confirmed its continued role as the Official Tyre Partner of Chelsea Football Club for the 2026/2027 campaign, a season that commenced with a 3-2 away victory for the Blues over Fulham FC. The renewed agreement ensures the brand’s prominent visibility throughout the upcoming fixtures.

As a Global Tyre Partner, Linglong’s branding will feature extensively on digital perimeter boards at Stamford Bridge during all Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup home matches, alongside additional placements on static partner boards and the club’s official website. The comprehensive sponsorship package also includes regular match tickets, VIP hospitality allocations, co-branding rights and deep integration into club media content. Furthermore, the partnership extends to Chelsea Women’s home games, with joint digital activations designed to strengthen fan engagement.

Initial social media contests on Linglong’s European channels have already launched, with winners set to attend the upcoming home fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion. Founded in 1905, Chelsea stands as one of England’s most historic and decorated clubs, boasting over 30 major trophies, including six league titles, two UEFA Champions League crowns and a FIFA Club World Cup victory, underscoring the prestige of Linglong’s ongoing association.

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Italian bicycle tyre manufacturer Vittoria has solidified its prominent status in mountain biking by securing a role as an Official Partner of Val di Sole Bikeland for the 2026 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships. The prestigious five-day competition is being held from 26 to 30 August 2026 at the Daolasa Arena in Commezzadura, a venue renowned as one of the sport’s most iconic global destinations.

The world championships will feature a comprehensive programme of elite racing, with world titles and the coveted rainbow jerseys on the line across multiple disciplines. Events will include Cross-country Olympic, Cross-country Short Track, the Team Relay, Downhill and E-MTB Cross-country, drawing the planet’s top riders to the Trentino valley for a week of high-stakes competition.

Beyond its partnership with the event, Vittoria’s deep-rooted commitment to the sport is evidenced by its long-term support of prominent national cycling federations. The brand currently backs the Italian Cycling Federation, USA Cycling, the Royal Dutch Cycling Union and the Japan Professional Cyclist Association, underlining its dedication to fostering mountain biking at the elite level. With these four national bodies and a roster of world-class athletes relying on its products, Vittoria is poised to be a central figure throughout the championships.

At the venue, Vittoria will operate a dedicated exhibition space in the heart of the action, offering athletes, media, industry insiders and fans a chance to explore its latest technological innovations and view the equipment used by top competitors. This presence reflects Vittoria’s enduring history in international racing and its ongoing investment in developing high-performance tyres and accessories for cyclists of all levels, from professional racers to dedicated amateurs across every cycling discipline.

Stijn Vriends, Chairman & CEO, Vittoria, said, "Being part of the 2026 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships while also supporting some of the world's leading national cycling federations is a tremendous source of pride for us. Val di Sole is one of the true landmarks of international mountain biking and the perfect stage to celebrate our passion for this sport together with athletes, partners and fans from around the world."

Fabio Sacco, General Manager of Apt Val di Sole and Grandi Eventi Val di Sole, said, “The presence of an international brand such as Vittoria alongside the World Championships represents an important recognition for Val di Sole and for the work we have been carrying out for many years to promote and develop mountain biking. Collaborating with leading companies in the industry that share our vision and passion for this sport further strengthens the value of an event that will put Val di Sole and Trentino in the global spotlight. We are proud to welcome Vittoria to Daolasa di Commezzadura and to offer athletes, teams and fans an unforgettable experience in a region where mountain biking has become a fundamental part of its identity.”

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DUNLOP (company name: Sumitomo Rubber Industries) has formalised a collaborative research initiative in Bangkok, Thailand, under the Hevea Research Platform in Partnership. Signed on 7 August 2026, the joint agreement brings together the Rubber Authority of Thailand, the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development and two Thai academic institutions, Khon Kaen University and Kasetsart University.

The project will examine the impact of reduced-frequency latex collection, known as low-frequency tapping systems, on the material properties and internal structural integrity of natural rubber. The research will also evaluate practical obstacles farmers encounter when transitioning to these methods, alongside enabling factors for broader uptake. The goal is to accelerate the company's commitment to sustainable raw material sourcing.

Southeast Asian rubber producers face volatile prices, climatic shifts and a critical deficit of plantation labour. Thailand, in particular, suffers from an acute shortage of skilled tappers, forcing smallholders to rely on an ageing workforce and migrant labourers. The low-frequency approach directly addresses this constraint by reducing collection frequency, offering a potential solution to a regional challenge.

Prior investigations have shown that tapping every three days, combined with a plant growth regulator, can maintain productivity and quality comparable to the conventional two-day interval. However, extended cycles of 4, 6 or 10 days remain poorly understood regarding rubber characteristics. Socioeconomic ramifications, including cost structures and physical workload, also require deeper exploration.

This project will systematically assess technical outcomes of various tapping frequencies and human dimensions of their implementation. Insights will support Sumitomo Rubber Industries' broader strategy, which pursues productivity gains through tissue culture technology for seedlings and improvements in processing facility conditions, ensuring a resilient and responsible supply chain.

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Radar Tires introduced its newest all-terrain offerings, the Renegade A/T and Renegade A/T Trail, during an exclusive gathering held from 24th to 27th June 2026 in northern Portugal’s Gerês region, near Peneda-Gerês National Park. The event united distributors from North and South America for an immersive introduction to the flagship products against a landscape blending performance driving with scenic exploration.

Across four days, participants navigated mountain roads, rocky sections, gravel paths and shifting terrain, evaluating on-road composure and off-road resilience. The location carries deep motorsport significance, hosting historic Rally de Portugal stages like Vieira do Minho and Fafe, providing a fitting atmosphere for an event centred on capability and partnership.

Technical seminars led by R&D head Olli Seppälä offered distributors insight into the engineering behind the new models. President and CEO G S Sareen outlined the company’s strategic vision, while recreational activities reinforced the organisation’s commitment to strong relationships alongside product excellence.

The Radar Renegade A/T is a Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake certified tyre for SUVs and light trucks, combining aggressive traction with stable road manners. Dense siping, stone ejectors, side lugs and a fortified sidewall deliver wet grip and resistance to cuts and chips while minimising puncture risks. It will be offered in 89 sizes from 15- to 24-inch rims, with 44 currently available and 45 more in Q3 2026.

The Renegade A/T Trail is engineered for crossovers and SUVs, blending off-road capability with everyday comfort. It features a Trail King tread, temperature-adaptive compound, and Tri-Armor System with stone ejectors and tie bars. It comes in 42 sizes from 15 to 22 inches, with 19 ready now and 23 debuting in Q3 2026.

Both ranges include a Road Hazard Warranty and 30-Day Guarantee. P-metric sizes carry a 55,000-mile treadwear warranty, while LT sizes have 50,000 miles. Shared technologies like the Circle of Tread Life indicator and reinforced sidewalls enhance durability and personalisation, underscoring Radar Tires’ commitment to innovation and partnership.

G S Sareen, President and CEO, Radar Tires, said, "We are very confident in our new flagship range of products. We've tested them rigorously against leading premium brands, and the results speak for themselves. The Renegade A/T and A/T Trail deliver top-tier performance and durability but come without the hefty price tag, reinforcing our mission of providing premium accessibility to drivers the world over."

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