The Goodyear Tyre & Rubber Company has revealed two new concept tyres at the 86th Geneva International Motor Show that could reshape the future for autonomous cars. The concepts are known as the Eagle-360 and the IntelliGrip.
The Eagle-360 is a spherical-shaped design concept tyre that is said to provide self-driving cars ultimate maneuverability, connectivity and biomimicry to increase safety. Inspired by nature, the 3D printed tread mimics the pattern of brain coral and behaves like a natural sponge – designed to stiffen in dry conditions and soften when wet to deliver excellent driving performance and aquaplaning resistance.
The IntelliGrip concept tyre, on the other hand, is designed to communicate with autonomous vehicle control systems, sensing road surface and weather conditions for improved driving safety and performance. When the tyre senses a rainy or slippery road surface, the autonomous vehicle will adapt its speed. Additionally, the tyre can shorten the stopping distance, provide a better cornering response, optimize stability and even support collision prevention systems.
Speaking on the occasion, Joseph Zekoski, Senior Vice-President and Chief Technical Officer of Goodyear said that by steadily reducing the driver interaction and intervention in self-driving vehicles, the tyres would play an more important role as the primary link to the road. He further went on to add that the company’s concept tyres play a dual role in that future both as creative platforms to push the boundaries of conventional thinking and test-beds for upcoming technologies. Although these tyres are future concepts, Zekoski says they represent an essential aspect of Goodyear’s innovation strategy and its vision for smart and safe mobility.