Tyre makers, Goodyear, say they have developed the tyres of the future, powered by artificial intelligence and able to sense, decide, transform and interact with their environments.
The Eagle 360 Urban tyre has an outer network of sensors that allow it to assess its own status, including the road surface, as well as gather information on its nearby environment through instant communication with other vehicles, infrastructure, traffic and transport management systems. Based on the information gathered, the system is able to formulate the appropriate responses, even learning from previous reactions.
Made of super-elastic polymer, the tire’s skin is as flexible as human skin, and covers a foam-like material that is strong enough to remain flexible under the weight of a vehicle. As a result, actuator elements beneath the tire’s surface allow it to adapt to changing road and weather conditions, reshaping individual sections, adding “dimples” for wet conditions or smoothing the tread for dry conditions.
When damaged, the tyre can rotate material to create a different contact point, reducing pressure on the puncture and giving it space to “self-heal” thanks to materials that are specifically designed to react with one another and form new molecular bonds, closing the hole.
The IntelliGrip Urban is designed for future-generation autonomous electric ride-sharing vehicles in urban areas. Its built-in sensors also allow it to detect its environment and respond accordingly, improving speed, braking, handling and stability.
Image: Intelligrip Urban tyre
