Tires

[CoolVT@aol.com]

I was sent some pictures by a friend supposedly showing Michelin's  new 
"airless" tires.  Is this a hoax  or has anyone seen/heard about  them?
The center part of the wheel is some kind of what appears to an an  alloy, 
that is surrounded by "flexible spokes" and then a strip of rubber about  an 
inch thick.  The theory is that the flexible spokes will give the  cushion and 
the solid rubber tread the traction.
So, is this a joke?  I can forward pictures if someone would  like to see the 
set-up.
Mark L.