A pneumatic or air-filled tire consists of an inner core that is sealed airtight and filled with pressurized air. Usually, a tread made with reinforced steel belting or other materials, seals this inner core and provides the contact area with the road.
As the air pressure in the tire is greater than atmospheric air pressure, the tire remains inflated even with the weight of the vehicle resting on it. The pressure of the air within the tire provides resistance against forces that try 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 that had wooden wheels, you know how big of a difference a set of pneumatic tires can make.
Pneumatic tires also come with disadvantages. Highly dangerous applications or high-performance situations for example, these tires can suffer a puncture and this will lead to a complete failure. The consequence of a blowout at high speeds could result in a dangerous car accident. Military planners need to take into account tires getting blown out by explosion shrapnel or shooting of guns. 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 issues and hence, in some applications, might be more suitable.
The pneumatic tire may have issues as well with the variation in air pressure and tire performance. The lower pressure inside a tire may increase the comfort level and the traction. This is due to the fact that tires flatten slightly and more tread is placed in contact with the road. The air pressure in the tire works to maintain the lateral stiffness of the tire as well as maintain the "up and down" stiffness. Hence, less air pressure allows the tires' sidewalls to flex. This leads to poor handling unfortunately. Within an airless tire, the stiffness in those two dimensions is independent.
Air pressure factors into other issues also. When it comes to maintaining proper air pressure, customers are notoriously undependable. Incorrect air pressure within tires could lead to very unsafe situations. It is vital to keep in mind that pneumatic tires are susceptible to temperature changes too, that could be responsible for changing the internal pressure of the tire. It is really important to take into account the kind of environments you would be requiring your machinery to function in so that you could inspect the tires regularly and keep the machine as safe as possible.