Goodyear unveils ground breaking concepts at Geneva

Two groundbreaking concept tyres unveiled by Goodyear at this week’s 85th Geneva International Motor Show could radically change the role of car tyres in the future.

Though the two tyres are concept products, the futuristic technologies stretch the imagination and provide a glimpse of what practical innovations may be on the horizon.

The first concept – named “BHO3” – offers the possibility of charging the batteries of electric cars by transforming the heat generated by the rolling tyre into electrical energy. The second concept – named “Triple Tube” – contains three tubes that adjust tyre inflation pressure in response to changing road conditions, delivering new levels of performance and versatility.

BHO3
This tyre generates electricity through the action of materials in the tyre that capture and transform the energy created by heat when it flexes as it rolls during normal driving conditions. The materials used would optimize the tyre’s electricity generation capabilities as well as its rolling resistance.
As demand for electric cars grows, this technology has the potential to significantly contribute to the solution of future mobility challenges. This visionary tyre technology could eliminate the vehicle-range anxiety motorists may have with electric cars.

TRIPLE TUBE
This tyre features three internal tubes within the tyre. Tubes are located beneath the tread and near the inboard and outboard shoulders of the tyre as well as the centre. The tyre relies on an internal pump that moves air from the main air chamber to the three individual air chambers, or tubes. The tyre automatically adjusts – on its own – to three different positions based on road conditions.
The Eco/Safety position – with maximum inflation in all three tubes – offers reduced rolling resistance.
The Sporty position – with reduced inflation within the inboard shoulder tube – gives drivers dry handling through an optimized contact patch.
The Wet Traction position – with maximized inflation in the center tube – provides high aquaplaning resistance through a raised tread in the center of the tyre.

Goodyear also showcased its new EfficientGrip Performance tyre with AA label grade, which it released in eight sizes earlier this year, at Geneva International Motor Show. The launch means Goodyear is now providing the largest number of tyre sizes showcasing the AA European Tyre label grades on the market today.
The eight new AA sizes complement an already extensive BA rated offering from Goodyear on the market today, with 53 EfficientGrip Performance sizes with a BA rating1.
The AA label represents the highest grade set out by the European tyre label regulation and signifies a tyre that delivers an “A” in both fuel efficiency and wet grip. The “A” label in fuel efficiency means that the tyre’s rolling resistance has been reduced. The launch of the AA tyres expands Goodyear’s position among the leaders in tyre labeling and its ongoing commitment to innovation.
“We committed to labeling in 2012 and continue to see the value of highly labelled tyres to our customers and the community at large,” said Lie Junius, Director of Public Affairs at Goodyear. “Today we build on that commitment, delivering tyres that achieve top ratings in the tyre labelling scheme. At the same time we continue to ask the European Union for more enforcement, as we feel that today’s label grades are an excellent approach to better informing consumers of the tyre’s benefits. However, the label only takes into account three criteria, while our own product development team looks at over 50 to ensure we can deliver a safe, solid and high-quality product to market.”
Goodyear was the first to introduce concept AA tyres in May 2012—on the first day of voluntary implementation of the labeling rules. Since the introduction of those concept tyres,