Goodyear is displaying concept tires for self-driving cars at this year's Geneva International Motor Show in Switzerland. The new wheels for autonomous vehicles (AVs) could be available as early as 2020 through many automakers. Eagle-360 focuses on maneuverability and connectivity, while Intelligrip features treadwear tech and advanced sensors.
Joseph Zekoski is Goodyear's senior vice president and Chief Technical Officer. He explains that tires will become more important due to self-driving vehicles requiring less human control, according to Tech Times. Goodyear's concept tires will make the cars' main link to the road more important, help to promote out-of-the-box thinking, and test next-gen technologies.
Eagle-360 tires would be attached to the vehicle via a system of magnets. This allows passengers to float smoothly over the wheels.
The 360 concept tires are shaped like spheres. This allows the wheels to move in all directions, which would boost safety and allow driverless cars to operate on big highways, city streets, and parking lots.
Meanwhile, Intelligrip can talk with the AVs' main controls. Goodyear's smart wheels could pick up different road surfaces and weather conditions, which would provide a safer robotic car ride. For example, the tire concepts' 3D-printed tread can harden on dry roads and soften on wet surfaces.
The smart tires would also include built-in sensors to communicate with the cars' internal systems and nearby vehicles.
Meanwhile, the Eagle-360 tires' treadwear tech could alert drivers when it is time to replace the tire. The company has also developed algorithms to adjust for changing tire pressure and temperature, and is working with car-makers to connect the tires to stability and braking systems, according to Manufacturing.
Neither tire concepts are close to mass production although the company's officials shared that the tire designs will help to evaluate new technologies. It is possible Goodyear could team up with Google or traditional automakers to develop an AV that includes its smart tires.
Goodyear was founded by Frank Seiberling in 1898 in Akron Ohio. The company has racked up more starts, wins, and championships than all other Formula One tire suppliers and is the only tire supplier for NASCAR series.
Here's the Goodyear Eagle-360 concept tire: