Goodyear introduce tires for autonomous cars
Switzerland: While ideating
about the future, Goodyear displayed the mutated industry’s signature “round
and black” identity to “spherical and black,” with a touch of “biomimicry” and
lots of imbedded sensors at the 2016 Geneva International Motor Show. The Akron
headquartered tire manufacturer unveiled two new innovative concept tires at
the 86th Geneva Motor Show that the company believes would be appropriate for autonomous
cars.
The concept tires - The IntelliGrip, features
advanced sensor & treadwear technology and the second tire, Eagle-360 is a
spherical shaped tire design likely to be fitted in a vehicle by magnetic
levitation. According to Goodyear, the IntelliGrip is designed with advanced
sensor technology to communicate with autonomous vehicle control system,
detecting road conditions as well as sensing weather conditions for the improved
driving experience. Goodyear also envisions
that the concept tire has the ability to assess the road and vehicle conditions
using the company developed algorithms. For
Instance, on a rainy or slippery road surface, the tire would shorten the
stopping distance, provide a quick cornering response and optimize stability.
On the other hand, the Eagle-360 spherical
tire, as per the company, would provide the autonomous cars with optimum
maneuverability, connectivity with vehicle and biomimicry to increase the
safety.
According to Goodyear’s senior VP and CTO, Joseph
Zekoski, tires would play a critical role as the primary link to the road
surface in self-driving vehicles. Moreover, the company’s concept tires are
likely to play a dual role in near future, one, as innovative platforms to push
the boundaries of creative thinking and another, testbeds for next generation
technologies. The VP added that although the tires were only concept, however, they
depicted a prime aspect of the company’s innovation strategy and its vision for
safe & smart mobility.
According to a recent report published by TechSci Research, “Global Autonomous Car Technology Market Forecast and Opportunities, 2035” the evolution of
autonomous passenger cars is gathering attention of consumers around the world.
Few anticipated factors such as increase in regulations mandating integration
of autonomous technology in vehicles, decline in prices of autonomous
technology and the rising concern of road safety is expected