Most automotive market projects seem focused on making cars smarter in general, but it's not as common to see that same effort applied to a critical component like the tire. One of the pioneering brands is Goodyear, and after studying some previous concepts, now comes the Eagle 360, a spherical tire that uses artificial intelligence to adapt to different conditions.
Electric and autonomous cars. Efficient transportation systems. Lower manufacturing costs. Greater safety for passengers and vehicles. The goals of the automotive world are broad, and they try to keep up with new trends that essentially indicate where the money will be in the future. The traditional industry knows it cannot stagnate, or it risks being overtaken by the dynamics of new companies (Tesla is a good example). Even so, turning a car into a "smart" one is not enough. The rest of the elements need to accompany that evolution, and one of the ones gaining more momentum is the tire. In 2014 we saw Hankook's advanced concepts, and a few months later Goodyear surprised us with futuristic designs. What does this historic company envision today? The Eagle 360.
A spherical tire with a bionic skin
As its name suggests, the Eagle 360 is a spherical tire. It was first seen at the Geneva Motor Show 2016, and it makes a return with its Urban variant in this year's edition, which will run until March 19. The plan is for the Eagle 360 to be used on vehicles without axles, based on a maglev platform or similar. This would give them far superior freedom of movement, ideal for autonomous travel. The tire's rubber is a kind of "bionic skin" that allows it to continuously monitor road conditions and alter its surface. If driving on a wet road, the Eagle 360 activates a series of actuators that create small holes to improve traction.
Another very interesting aspect is connectivity between tires. In theory, each Eagle 360 can learn from others, assimilating the best parameters and anticipating any sudden changes in road conditions. As if that weren't enough, the Eagle 360 supports self-repair, reducing pressure on the affected area and injecting a special sealant from the inside. Honestly, the Eagle 360 looks very good, but it belongs to a science fiction world. Perhaps in a few decades...?
