Goodyear will be releasing anew tire concept, the BH-03, which will have the capacity to convert heat generated from friction and deformation of the tires to usable electricity that will charge the car battery while you drive. This could be a monumental change for the worries of electrical vehicles having a short range. If one can charge their car while driving, this would mean that the range of an electric vehicle would be not be hindered by the inability to find a charge station. This could mean exponential travelling capabilities for electric vehicles.

“These concept tires reimagine the role that tires may play in the future,” said Joe Zekoski, Goodyear’s senior vice president and chief technical officer. “We envision a future in which our products become more integrated with the vehicle and the consumer, more environmentally friendly and more versatile.”

Source: Goodyear

The tire utilizes an internal pump mechanism that sends air from the main air chamber to the three individual tubes. These three internal tubes beneath the tread and near the inboard and outboard shoulders of the tire and in the center of the tire.  The tire has three different positions, and will automatically adjust to each position based on road conditions.

Position #1: Eco/Safety position – offers reduced rolling resistance when there is maximum inflation in all three tubes.

Position #2: Sporty position – gives drivers dry handling through an optimized contact patch when there is reduced inflation within the inboard shoulder tube.

Position #3: Wet Traction position – provides high aquaplaning resistance through a raised tread in the center of the tire when maximized inflation in the center tube.

Goodyear, being one of the world’s largest tire company, wants to bring more innovative methods to making useful tires for customers. They feel this tire will meet the needs of a vehicle market in flux. Zedoski said, “It is more important than ever for us to stay firmly rooted in our market-back innovation process, which calls on us to focus on, and anticipate, the rapidly evolving needs of our customers.”

Via: survivalist