Goodyear continues to revolutionise through tyre research and development
The research and development team at Goodyear Tyres have done it again. At the Geneva Motor Show, they’ve unveiled three prototype tyres that could reduce pollution, self-monitor tyre condition and performance, and increase tyre life by up to 30%. They’re not available to buy commercially – yet – but certainly, show us the shape of tyres of the future. Here’s a glimpse of the black circles your fleet may be driving on in years to come.
A living tyre that cuts pollution
Could tyres really be the answer to clearing smog-filled cities? If Goodyear’s Oxygene tyre were used on all the vehicles in a city, air pollution could be eliminated. That’s the claim by Goodyear, which has estimated that in a city the size of Paris it would be possible to absorb 4,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide and create 3,000 tonnes of oxygen. How can a tyre achieve this?
The Oxygene is a living tyre. Moss grows in the sidewall. As the tyre travels over the road, this moss absorbs water from the road surface and carbon dioxide from the air. Through a process of photosynthesis, the tyre turns that carbon dioxide into oxygen. Genius!
It’s not only oxygen that the tyre can create. It also produces electricity. Enough to power onboard electrics. The tyre also has an LED strip that changes colour when the driver manoeuvres – warning other drivers that you are changing lanes, for example.
The Oxygene tyre also connects to the Internet of Things, using Li-Fi internet technology – a system used by Goodyear’s Intelligent prototype, too.
Intelligent tyres monitor themselves
Now here’s where it gets really interesting for fleet managers.
Goodyear’s Intelligent prototype tyre shows just how far technology could take tyres in the future. Goodyear’s Director of Consumer Technology, Percy LeMaire, has suggested that some of the elements of this tyre could become mass marketed reality soon. Here’s what this tyre does for you:
- Monitors wear and tear temperature and tyre pressure
- Reports tyre issues to the driver and fleet manager
- Estimates how long it will last
- Communicates with other vehicles, warning of road and weather conditions
Imagine that. A tyre that tells you when it needs more air, when it will need to be replaced, and alerts your entire fleet to routing problems due to road conditions.
At last – tyres designed for electric vehicles
Much is made of the green credentials of electric and hybrid vehicles. What isn’t publicised much is that tyres used on an electric vehicle have a shorter range. The high torque produced wears tyres more quickly. And the noise the tyre makes is a bigger issue than on standard vehicles.
At Geneva, Goodyear also unveiled a prototype that could reduce tyre noise on electric vehicles and increase range by up to 30%.
Get the best life from your tyres today
Such tyre evolution as being produced by Goodyear’s R&D teams could transform tyre management in fleets. Automatic alerts on wear and tear, tyre pressures and road conditions could help fleet managers cut tyre costs, extending tyre life and reducing fuel consumption. Instead of being reactive to tyre condition, you could be managing your tyres proactively.
Until the time arrives when these groundbreaking features are standard issue on all new tyres, the best way to maintain peak performance from your Brisbane fleet’s tyres is to use Darra’s Fleet Tyre Management Service. Contact us today to find out more.
Keeping your business and fleet safely on the road,
Kevin Wood