Spike-Strip Me Now, Coppers!: Puncture-Proof Tires
Similar but slightly different than the other versions of airless tires we've seen, Bridgestone is hard at work trying to bring an airless, puncture-proof tire to market. Aaaaaaaand this is what they've got so far. Puke green rims FTW!
The idea is similar to Michelin's Tweel which first appeared back in 2006, and even the wheels used on the Lunar Rover that NASA developed during the Apollo era. But Bridgestone appears to have improved on both designs with the use of thermoplastic resin spokes that radiate out from the inner hub to the outer rim at a 45 degree angle. When combined with a second set of spokes on the opposite side that radiate out in the other direction, it results in added strength, stability, and flexibility.
Why on earth they'd want to share their renderings with the competition is beyond me, but I suspect it has something to do with letting Goodyear run with the idea, then training spies to infiltrate their headquarters and re-stealing it. Trust me, I know American business. No, no I don't. But I did meet the lady who invented the little plastic table they put in the middle of pizzas to prevent the box from smushing it, so that's something. SOMETHING YOU JUST FOUND FASCINATING. God, invite me out for drinks sometime -- there's plenty more where that came from!
Bridgestone's Puncture-Proof Tires Look Like They Were Made With a Spirograph [gizmodo]
Thanks to dan, who agrees hovercars will already be out before these things are ever standard equipment.
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