An air-filled or pneumatic tire is composed on an inner core that is sealed airtight and filled with pressurized air. Typically, a tread made with reinforced steel belting or other materials, provides the contact part with the road and seals this inner core.
The tire will remain inflated with all the weight of the vehicle resting on it, since the pressure of the air within the tire is more than atmospheric air pressure. The pressure of the air inside the tire provides resistance against forces that attempt to deform the tire. When the tire hits bumps in the road, this gives the tire a slight degree of a cushioning effect. If you have ever taken a ride in an old-fashioned carriage which had wooden wheels, you understand how big of a difference a set of pneumatic tires could make.
Of course, there are several drawbacks to pneumatic tires. For instance in highly dangerous applications or high-performance situations, these tires can suffer a puncture and this would lead to a complete failure. The consequence of a blowout at high speeds can result in a dangerous car crash. Military planners have to take into account tires getting blown out by firing of guns or explosion shrapnel. The worst nightmare of a vehicle crew is becoming trapped in a fire zone because of all of their tires becoming flat. Airless tires obviously don't suffer from these type of problems and hence, in certain applications, might be more suitable.
The pneumatic tire might have issues as well with the variation in air pressure and tire performance. The lower pressure in a tire could increase the comfort level and the traction. This is because of the fact that tires flatten slightly and more tread is touching the road. The pressure of the air in the tire works to maintain the lateral stiffness of the tire as well as maintain the "up and down" stiffness. Thus, reduced air pressure enables the tires' sidewalls to flex. Unfortunately, this leads to poor handling. Within an airless tire, the stiffness in those two dimensions is independent.
Air pressure factors into other issues also. With regards to to maintaining correct air pressure, consumers are notoriously undependable. Incorrect air pressure in tires can lead to very dangerous situations. It is really essential to keep in mind that pneumatic tires are also susceptible to temperature changes, which can be responsible for changing the internal pressure of the tire. It is essential to consider the kind of environments you will be requiring your equipment to operate in so that you can regularly inspect the tires and keep the equipment as safe as possible.