Bridgestone developing tyres for Toyota and JAXA moon mission

Last month Toyota revealed its intentions to put a vehicle on the moon by the year 2029 with the help of JAXA – Japan’s answer to NASA.

Now it has been announced that Bridgestone will be taking part in the space exploration mission by supplying the six wheeled rover with specially developed elastic tyres.

Bridgestone will use its expertise and knowledge of tyre contact patch to help support the rover’s weight, acceleration and braking, minimize shock absorbance, and improve maneuverability, enabling the rover to cruise at least the targeted 10,000 km on the lunar surface.

Nizar Trigui, chief technology officer, Bridgestone Americas explained: “We believe that our technical capabilities allow us to explore the development of a tyre that is capable of functioning even in the harshest of conditions experienced on the surface of the moon, and bring us to a higher level of mobility for mankind.

“Our founder, Shojiro Ishibashi, believed in contributing to the advancement and development of society, and Bridgestone fulfills that belief through Creative Pioneering (Shinshu-Dokuso), an integral part of our corporate philosophy that allows the company to develop innovative solutions with an eye towards the future. This mission represents that commitment and is a testament of Bridgestone’s commitment to improving the way people move, live, work and play.”