Wouldnt a solid rubber tire do the same job with no risk of punctures?
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The first tires were put on wooden wheels and were not inflated with air. The ride was extremely uncomfortable by today’s standards as pneumatic tires (tires that hold air pressure) help absorb impact, similar to your car’s suspension.
As you pointed out, the main problem of pneumatic tires is that they are prone to punctures. Another issue is uneven wear due to over/under inflation and impact breaks from hitting potholes or curbs.
Some tire manufacturers are attempting to move away from inflated tires to airless tires, but it is very difficult and costly to replicate the impact absorption of a pneumatic tires with a flexible, supportive structure.
Check out [Michelin’s Tweel](https://michelinmedia.com/site/user/images/Tweel.jpg).
Michelin makes these for skid steers, golf carts, and other vehicles that cannot maintain a high speed. Another core problem with airless, rigid tires is tire deflection. This is when a fast spinning flexible object deforms at high speed. The core challenge with this is that you have to develop a structure that can flex for ride comfort, but also be rigid to avoid deflection.
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