CHICAGO—Group Michelin's non-pneumatic Tweel tire/wheel combination earned a Silver Award at the 2013 Edison Awards, a recognition that symbolizes the “persistence and excellence personified by Thomas Alva Edison,” the famous U.S. inventor.
The Edison Awards, a program conducted by the non-profit Edison Universe, presented Michelin North America Inc. with the Silver Award in the Transportation category for the Tweel SSL, the firm's commercially available version of the concept for skid-steers.
“Michelin is extremely honored to have been recognized with such an important group of recipients,” said Tim Fulton, head of Michelin Tweel Technologies.
“We continue to be surprised and encouraged at the extent to which the innovation is generating excitement across many vehicle segments; the receptivity has been very strong and positive.”
The awards are presented annually in 12 categories. Delphi Automotive won the gold medal in the transportation category for its “Connected Car” technology that allows owners to connect their vehicles to the Internet.
The Edison Universe is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. The 2013 Edison Awards www.edisonawards.com are sponsored by Nielsen Co., Discovery Communications Inc., Science Channel and USA Today. This is the 26th year for the awards.
The award was presented April 25 during the Edison Awards ceremony held at Chicago's Navy Pier.
Michelin unveiled the Tweel concept in 2005 at the Detroit Auto Show and last year brought a commercially viable version of the concept to market.
The judging panel includes members of the Marketing Executives Networking Group, the American Association of Advertising Agencies, the Chief Marketing Officer Council, the Design Management Institute, the American Productivity & Quality Center, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Association of Technology Management & Applied Engineering. Also on the panel are hundreds of past Edison Award winners, marketing professionals, scientists, designers, engineers and academics.