Bridgestone offers up an interesting concept—airless tires. Check out the support grids, and how air will flow through on either side to aid in supporting the car’s weight. The tread is interesting as well. It’s thin, and the only thing that needs replacing on the tire—assuming the grid isn’t damaged. What about those curbs that graze wheels when trying to park? Or, how often would such a thin thread need to be replaced? Here’s a thought! The tread is actually the same thickness as that of a regular tire before it wears out and tires need replacing. There’s no sideway give as you work through tight corners.
Check out the airless tire design for military applications. The honeycomb design makes you go “Hmmmmm.” In fact, this could be the winning design. Such a tire could blow out, or be shot out, and still work with enough honeycombs remaining. These are definitely environmentally friendly concepts. The world throws away a lot of tires.