Bridgestone wants to beat Michelin to making airless tyres a reality by being the first to introduce it for bicycles and commercial vehicles rather than passenger cars, reports Automotive News. The company plans to launch a smaller and lighter version of them on a fleet of airless-tyre bicycles at the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, where Bridgestone is an official sponsor.
The company said that it has developed air-free tyres that are completely puncture-proof by replacing the pneumatics of today's tyres with spokes of recycled, high-strength thermoplastic resin for support. Sources from Bridgestone told Automotive News that large airless tyres capable of supporting 5,000 pounds of weight (per corner) have been successfully developed by the company that will be released in the market soon. The tyre maker though did give an exact date for when it will launch these commercial airless tyres in the market.
Jon Kimpel, executive director for new mobility solutions engineering at Bridgestone, was quoted by the publication saying:
"Fleet operators are asking us for these. This technology solves a problem for them and it saves them money. Trucks average an air-related tyre issue every 8,000 miles and that down time due to flats costs fleet operators money."
Bridgestone showcased its first concept for the airless tyre in 2011 and revealed the second generation for the concept in 2013 at the Tokyo Motor Show. The second gen concept featured increased load bearing, driving performance and environmental design, with materials used for the tyre being recyclable. The tyres also offered an improved, lower rolling resistance, which will lower CO2 emissions making cars more environmental friendly. Bridgestone had hoped to introduce these atleast in the bicycle market by 2019.
Also Read: CES: Bridgestone Reveals Space & Connected Tyre Concepts
Bridgestone also showcased the concept airless tyres at its debut at CES, the annual technology trade show held this year in January.
The announcement comes at the backdrop of Bridgestone's tussle with Michelin who introduced their airless tyre concept called the Tweel back in 2005. The tweel whose application was limited to golf carts and small utility vehicles, was one-upped by the recently introduced Uptis in 2019, which has now been employed on the Chevrolet Bolt electric car for road tests. The tests are being done in collaboration with GM and if all goes well, the Uptis could be an equipment option on GM vehicles no earlier than 2024.
It'll be interesting to see who pioneers the concept of the airless tyre, which has been quoted by some as the biggest innovation of the 21st century. May the best tyre win!
