Tire companies received the Good Design Award 2024

In 2024, five tire companies received the Good Design Award in Japan, which was created in 1957 and is considered the country's only comprehensive system for evaluating new products from an industrial design perspective.

This time, the tire companies received awards for the following developments:

Bridgestone AirFree. An airless tire whose development began in 2008. Like other non-pneumatic tires, AirFree does not require air inflation, is not susceptible to punctures, and reduces the need for maintenance. Unlike other similar tires, the spokes are made of a special resin that can be melted and reused. Additionally, the blue color is designed to improve visibility in the twilight, when a large number of accidents occur, which further enhances safety.

Particular attention was also paid to ride comfort, and it is reported that in "some situations" AirFree does not concede to standard pneumatic tires in this regard. Currently, Bridgestone's airless tires are being tested on public roads near the city of Kodaira (Tokyo Prefecture).

Bridgestone Regno GR-XIII. Summer comfort-class tires that feature reduced noise levels - compared to the previous generation model, noise has decreased by 12% on rough surfaces and 8% on smooth surfaces. The manufacturer also emphasizes that the tread pattern is optimized to improve acoustic comfort in both new and worn conditions, and the sidewall inscriptions are made using Luxblack technology, which makes the black color more saturated.

Kumho WinterCraft WP52 EV. Winter tires designed specifically for electric vehicles and featuring a number of characteristics required in this segment, such as increased structural stiffness (necessary due to the high weight and torque of electric vehicles) and reduced noise levels. The tires have a V-shaped tread pattern with wide transverse channels designed to improve handling and safety on snow, while 3D lamellas increase block stiffness and reduce braking distances. Noise has also been further reduced thanks to the K-Silent technology (a layer of sound-absorbing foam inside the tire).

Maxxis Metroloads Pro. A bicycle tire that has already received the iF Design Award and has attracted public attention due to the fact that it is made using material from recycled fishing nets. Overall, the amount of recycled materials in production has increased by 38%, and since the tires were created for cargo electric bicycles, engineers have also reduced their rolling resistance, while the maximum load capacity has increased by 73%, and each tire can withstand an additional 51 kg.

Toyo NanoEnergy M151 EV and Toyo NanoEnergy M951 EV. Summer and winter tires designed specifically for electric light trucks and featuring tread patterns that combine blocks and ribs. According to Toyo, this solution helps to simultaneously increase traction on slippery surfaces and combat uneven wear, and the tires also feature reduced rolling resistance, which increases the range of electric vehicles.

Yokohama ADVAN dB V553. A high-comfort summer tire that replaces the V552 model. Compared to its predecessor, noise has been reduced by 15% when the tires are new and 22% when they are worn, and Yokohama emphasizes that the novelty also maintains stable traction on wet roads as it wears.

Yokohama Geolandar A/T4 G018. A new off-road tire that surpasses the previous generation tire (Geolandar A/T G015) in terms of off-road and snow traction, as well as resistance to punctures. The sidewalls have a distinctive design, and the snowflake marking confirms that the tires can be used on snowy surfaces.

Photos: g-mark.org.