Goodyear Thinks We’ll Roll Around On Giant Balls

Goodyear Eagle-360 concept tire (Credit: Goodyear)

In an ironic twist, Goodyear is looking to kill the tire as we know it. The company, which is famous for its blimp and great tires, has been showing off what it believes is the future: rolling around on giant balls.

As you can see in the video below, the Goodyear Eagle-360 concept tire is a pretty wild idea. Customers would be able to get a customized tire-ball with 3D-printed treads, which is better than waiting for the right tire to be shipped to a store (if the printer is kept at the shop).

Through the miracle of magnetic levitation, the car could actually be pretty maneuverable and comfortable. The design in theory would also handle wet roads better. A foam underlayment would make the contact patch bigger.

The ball design means the “tires” can move in any direction, providing superior control. It would also mean the end of drifting.

Watch the Video: