Bridgestone Develops New Concept Metal Tyres For Future Moon Rovers

Leading tiremaker Bridgestone recently revealed a pair of radical yet realistic concept all-in-one wheel-and-tyre designs that the firm envisions will be adopted for use by future Moon rovers. What’s interesting here is that neither designs are made using rubber, nor do they employ air inflation too.

“Bridgestone aims to accelerate its co-creation initiatives by showcasing the challenge and pursuit of excellence through the development of lunar rover tires, which started in 2019,” the company noted in an official press release.

Simply called second-generation lunar rover tyres, both are made entirely of steel because rubber doesn't really work in harsh lunar conditions – the material is highly susceptible to extreme temperatures and ultraviolet rays, both of which are present in in abundance on the Moon.

Even if the rubber compound didn't deteriorate, the Japanese firm says such a construction would prove exceedingly heavy and inflexible. Additionally, the tiremaker noted as well that air-filled tyres aren't optimal for use in the near-vacuum of space.

Instead, these concepts see Bridgestone create a unique solution through a metal tyre construction with ‘tread’ on the outside and flexible supporting structures. One (above, left) is designed for use in smaller and lighter rovers, hence its fewer number of spokes and subsequently simpler build.

The other design (above, right), on the other hand, is aimed for medium-sized rovers instead, which might wander into rougher terrains. Bridgestone adds that this design balances weight and with durability and capability.

Evidently, like the earlier second-gen lunar rover tyre concept showcased by Bridgestone last year, these stand radically different from the company's first-gen lunar tyre concept it showcased a few years prior, which more or less appeared like a tyre with a fully enclosed coil spring structure.

Critically though, these made-for-the-Moon tyres will benefit Earth-based tyres, claims Bridgestone. However, the company didn’t exactly described or detailed how this will be achieved just yet.