{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1851719,
        "msgid": "bridgestones-airless-tyres-deployed-on-autonomous-vehicles-in-japan-1783666505",
        "date": "2026-07-10 13:28:42",
        "title": "Bridgestone's Airless Tyres Deployed on Autonomous Vehicles in Japan",
        "author": "",
        "source": "ANTARA_ID",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Technology",
        "summary": "Bridgestone's airless tyre technology has entered its first regular commercial service, being fitted to autonomous vehicles transporting elderly residents in Higashiomi, Japan. The application, while limited to low-speed vehicles, marks a significant milestone for the AirFree concept which has been in development since 2008. The company is also exploring a business model that integrates tyre production with recycling services.",
        "content": "<p>Jakarta (ANTARA) - Airless tyres made by Bridgestone have begun to be\nused on an autonomous vehicle fleet in the city of Higashiomi,\nJapan.<\/p>\n<p>According to a CarsCoops report on Thursday (8 July), the tyre\nproduct named AirFree has started being used on autonomous vehicles that\nresemble golf carts but are longer.<\/p>\n<p>The autonomous vehicles have been prepared to transport elderly\nresidents around the city, so the workload on the tyres is not\nheavy.<\/p>\n<p>The inaugural use of the airless tyre product for commercial purposes\nis considered still far from high-performance applications.<\/p>\n<p>Nevertheless, the application marks the first time the AirFree tyre\nhas entered regular commercial service, rather than a short-term\ntrial.<\/p>\n<p>Bridgestone built its first airless tyre in 2008 and launched the\nthird-generation version currently in use in 2023.<\/p>\n<p>The AirFree tyre is made using recycled compounds strong enough to\nhandle everyday use.<\/p>\n<p>Its construction relies on thermoplastic resin spokes wrapped in a\nthin rubber tread that makes contact with the road.<\/p>\n<p>According to Bridgestone engineer Masaki Ota, the breakthrough came\nwhen the team stopped trying to make the material harder and switched to\nflexible resin and a structure that distributes the load more evenly\nacross the entire tyre.<\/p>\n<p>The AirFree tyre comes in a bright blue colour. Bridgestone calls it\nEmpowering Blue.<\/p>\n<p>The company stated that the bright colour was chosen to improve\nvisibility during the day and at dusk.<\/p>\n<p>The vehicle\u2019s speed is limited to around 20 km per hour. It is\nunclear whether the speed restriction is for passenger comfort or\nwhether that is indeed the maximum safe speed for the tyre\u2019s use.<\/p>\n<p>However, according to a Nikkei Asia report, the tyre product is for\nnow only suitable for \u201crelatively slow vehicles\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Bridgestone has not yet set a timetable for mass production of the\nairless tyres.<\/p>\n<p>The company is considering a business model that combines tyre\nproduction with services such as recycling.<\/p>\n<p>In addition, Bridgestone is developing tyres for lunar rovers\ndesigned based on the AirFree design.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/bridgestones-airless-tyres-deployed-on-autonomous-vehicles-in-japan-1783666505",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}