WINDHOEK – Goodyear is showcasing its latest tyre concept at this year’s Geneva International Motor Show – a futuristic tyre that has the capacity to produce its own electricity.
The concept tyre creates electrical energy that supplies the batteries of the car’s hybrid powertrain, as well as other on-board technologies. The tyre generates electricity via the action of two types of material being thermoelectric material that transforms the heat (generated inside the tyre by the ultra-black texture in static condition by light/heat absorption or by its rolling when dynamic) into electric energy and piezoelectric material transforms the pressure due to structure deformation and vibrations into electric energy
These new materials form a 3D network which constitute the inner structure of the tyre. This structure could potentially support the load of a car if the tyre gets punctured, an alternative approach to delivering RunonFlat technology. Additionally, it features a large circumferential channel to improve aquaplaning resistance and a unique tread to absorb noise.
The tyre is a pure concept development and will not be produced by Goodyear. Concept tyres are designed as part of the company’s innovation process and are developed to stir debate, discuss possible solutions and enable engineers to think out of the box to deliver smart solutions for a smart future.