Goodyear tests airless tires on delivery robots

MANILA: Goodyear announced it has developed and is testing non-pneumatic tires (NPT), or simply called an airless tires, to support Starship delivery robots.

Starship Technologies, a Goodyear Ventures portfolio company, builds and operates a network of over 1,000 autonomous robots that carry and deliver packages, groceries, and food directly to customers.

The robots' airless tires are designed to extend tire life and reduce maintenance activities for Starship’s delivery fleet, Goodyear said. Test data showed that the airless tires are yielding "positive results with respect to treadwear, braking and vibration dampening," Goodyear added. 

The two companies are evaluating the autonomous robots and their tires at the Bowling Green State University in Ohio, USA. 

 

“We are excited to extend our unique airless tire architectures into new forms of mobility,”  Goodyear Senior Program Manager for NPT Michael Rachita expressed. 

“Our delivery robots make thousands of deliveries every day in all types of weather conditions and terrain,” Mechanical Engineering Manager for Starship Siim Viilup said. 

"We need tires that are reliable and keep our robots on the move around the clock and around the globe. It’s great to see these new tires offering reliability as well as cost savings as we scale our business,” Viilip added. 

Photos from Goodyear

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