Nothing can screw up a perfectly good day like discovering that your car has a flat tire. Bridgestone Corporation has just revealed a potential solution to this dilemma that goes far beyond today’s conventional run-flat alternatives and offers substantial environmental benefits, as well. Bridgestone’s non-pneumatic design relies on a set of unique and totally open-air spoke structures — on either side of the rubber perimeter “tire” — that are fully capable of supporting the weight of the vehicle. Constructed of a special thermoplastic resin, the spokes, as well as the rubber in the external tire wraparound element, are both fully recyclable. That factor ensures it remains compatible with Bridgestone’s proactive “cradle to cradle” philosophy that involves actively managing sustainable/renewable assets.
Beyond its outstanding environmental friendliness, Bridgestone says the non-pneumatic technology in this concept tire is fully capable of being transformed into a commercial product that would also set new standards in terms of safety and comfort. Although offering no insight as to a potential introduction date, it plans to actively pursue various mass market applications for this unique airless design.
