ALua — airless tires from Ukraine
ALua tires at SkyLab UA office

From Zero to Hero: How We Engineered Airless Tires on a Shoestring Budget

Evhenii Rvachov
4 min readJun 27, 2024

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My story of innovation, determination, and a revolutionary product for the defense and beyond.

Introduction:

A small team of Ukrainian engineers, a shoestring budget, and a seemingly impossible task — to develop airless tires for our uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV), the Sirko-S1. This wasn’t just about finding a solution but proving that innovation can thrive even in the face of adversity.

The Challenge:

Existing airless tire options were either unavailable in Ukraine or prohibitively expensive. We knew we needed a durable, reliable, and affordable solution, so we decided to take matters into our own hands.

The Journey:

Armed with a grant and an unwavering belief in our abilities, we embarked on a journey of research, design, and countless prototypes. We experimented with different materials, spoke structures, and tread patterns, constantly pushing the boundaries of what was possible.

Of course, there were setbacks, such as late nights, failed prototypes, and moments of doubt. But our passion for the project and the support of our team kept us going.

CAD — ALua
CAD — ALua

The Breakthrough:

Finally, after months of tireless effort, we achieved a breakthrough. We had created airless tires that not only met but exceeded our expectations. They were puncture-proof, extreme, and offered superior off-road performance.

But we didn’t stop there. We realized that our tires had the potential to revolutionize not just the defense industry but also agriculture, extreme sports, and many other sectors.

Scaling Up:

We developed a custom mold for mass production to make our vision a reality. This allowed us to streamline our manufacturing process and ensure consistent quality. We were no longer just inventors; we were entrepreneurs, ready to take our product to the world.

The Impact:

Today, our airless tires are not just a component of the Sirko-S1; they are a testament to the power of innovation and determination. They symbolize what’s possible when a team of passionate individuals comes together to solve a problem.

The Future:

We’re not done yet. We have big plans for the future, including expanding our product line, entering international markets, and collaborating with other industry leaders.

ALua tires for UGV’s

Conclusion:

This is our story—a story of how we turned a challenge into an opportunity, a dream into a reality. We hope it inspires others to pursue their passions and create products that make a difference in the world.

#ALua #UGV #SirkoS1 #airlesstires #serialproduction #innovation #technology #Ukraine #MadeInUkraine #startup #engineering #defensetech

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Evhenii Rvachov

I’m just a Human who likes hardware/software engineer.