No matter how expensive your car is, and all of the technology that comes with it, you know for sure that the car remains on the road simply because of the four tires that have some grip. Not only that, it would be these tires with the average surface of an A4 paper that remains in contact with the ground that keeps you going even at insanely high speeds. The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company figured out that autonomous cars need, well, specially made tires.
This is why it has introduced a couple of innovative new concept tires at the 86th Geneva International Motor Show, which could change the way autonomous cars work. Firstly, there is the spherical-shaped Eagle-360 that you see above, which was designed with key features of maneuverability, connectivity and biomimicry in order to cater for autonomous mobility, while the other would be the IntelliGrip that carries an advanced sensor and treadwear technology.
Both of these tires have been designed with safety in mind, especially since more and more control is passed from rider to car in an autonomous ride. With embedded sensors in these tires, it will be able to communicate road and weather conditions to the vehicle control system as well as nearby cars, monitoring tread wear and tire pressure to regulate and extend its mileage. It will be connected to the car via a magnetic levitation system, ensuring a smooth and quiet ride for the passenger.
Do bear in mind that these are just concepts, and as to whether they can prevent self-driving cars from crashing into a bus, that remains to be seen.
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