Puncture proof tires from Brigdestone.
During the Tokyo Motor Show, not only automotive designers present their new products, but also spare parts and components. One of them is Bridgestone, which has introduced the biggest innovation in the tire market in recent years.
Car tires made from a rubber compound have been in use for almost a century. However, their design, based on filling the tire with air (or other gas), has a significant drawback. All of them were very vulnerable to a puncture.
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When Michelin introduced the PAX system in 2000, many believed it would solve the problem and eliminate the need for a spare tire. Ultimately, this technology did not catch on in the market. Run-flat tires were very stiff, which significantly reduced driving comfort and contributed to increased fuel consumption. Moreover, these types of wheels are more expensive than "ordinary" counterparts.
However, Bridgestone has introduced a tire capable of completely revolutionizing the automotive wheel market. The Japanese, who completed their cooperation with Formula 2010 in 1, approached tire design in a completely different way. The wheel seen in the graph has mesh or spokes made of thermoplastic resin instead of air filling it. This is not a completely new solution. Tires used in space or military equipment had a similar design. However, this is the first time a passenger car tire using this technology has been introduced.
Interestingly, the innovative tire was made entirely from recycled elements. As a result, its price may even be lower than the traditional "rubbers" used today. Another benefit of the new Bridgestone tires is driving comfort. Thanks to the elasticity of the resin, the wheels absorb the same amount of shock as the air-filled tires used so far. Moreover, they retain their properties throughout the entire period of operation until the tread wears off.
Will the new tires go into production? It's possible, although Bridgestone says it's just a prototype.
