It’s not the first of its kind (Michelin already showed a prototype), but it looks like the airless tire Bridgestone has developed is the most advanced we’ve seen so far. The Japanese company’s main goal here is to do away with the risk of flats.
The tire has a diameter of 25 centimeters, uses thermoplastic resin instead of air to support the weight of a car and has been successfully field-tested with electric vehicles, according to Bridgestone. It can support a load of up to 150kg.
The company says that the technology, dubbed Air-Free Concept, may be commercialized in passenger vehicles at some point in the future (it would then be the first time for any company to bring airless tires to market).
More information in this video from Diginfo TV: