Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Rubber News
  • European Rubber Journal
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • Current Issue
  • Mid-Year Report
  • News
    • Aligning with ADAS
    • OPINION
    • BUSINESS/FINANCIAL
    • COMMERCIAL TIRE
    • GOVERNMENT & LAW
    • Humanitarian Award
    • RETAIL TIRES
    • SERVICE ZONE
    • TIRE MAKERS
    • Best Places to Work
    • RUSSIA WAR IN UKRAINE
  • Data
    • DATA STORE
  • Custom
    • SPONSORED CONTENT
  • Events
    • ASK THE EXPERT
    • LIVESTREAMS
    • WEBINARS
    • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
    • RUBBER NEWS EVENTS
  • Resources
    • DIRECTORY
    • CLASSIFIEDS
    • SHOP FLOOR
    • AWARDS
    • BALANCING
    • DEMOUNTING
    • SAFETY
    • TIRE REPAIR
    • TPMS
    • TRAINING
    • VEHICLE LIFTING
    • WHEEL TORQUE
    • Best Places to Work
  • ADVERTISE
  • DIGITAL EDITION
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
November 22, 2016 01:00 AM

Eagle-360 earns Time 'invention' honor

Tire Business Staff
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    Goodyear image
    Time magazine has named Goodyear's Eagle-360 spherical tire one of its 25 best inventions of 2016. The illustration shows how the vehicle and tire are connected via magnetic levitation.

    AKRON (Nov. 22, 2016) — Time magazine has named Goodyear's Eagle-360 — a spherical, 3-D printed concept tire, one of its 25 best inventions of 2016.

    The Eagle-360 is purely a concept tire — its “contact” with the vehicle is by an untested theoretical magnetic levitation process — but one that “showcases some of Goodyear's best innovative thinking and how the needs of future drivers can be addressed,” Jean-Claude Kihn, president of Goodyear EMEA said in March when the concept debuted at the Geneva International Motor Show.

    In its commentary on the Eagle-360, Time acknowledged that: “To be sure, these tires won't hit pavement anytime soon: they're meant for self­-driving cars that are likely at least five years away.”

    The magazine went on to quote Goodyear engineer Sebastiaen Fontaine: In order to shift the status quo, “we need different companies working with us, together.”

    According to Goodyear, the conceptual Eagle-360's spherical shape is the key to its maneuverability, mobility and passenger safety. A video produced by the tire maker shows how the tires would rest below the vehicle, held in place by magnetic levitation similar to magnetic levitation trains.

    Goodyear image

    The Goodyear Eagle-360 is a spherical concept.

    Goodyear claims that this feature not only would increase the vehicle's maneuverability by allowing the tire to capitalize on its ability to rotate a full 360-degrees, but it also creates a quieter ride.

    The tire's tread pattern mimics brain coral and is designed with multidirectional blocks and groves that work to work to ensure safe contact with the ground. The base of the grooves would employ still theoretical elements inspired by natural sponges, stiffening when dry and softening when wet to resist aquaplaning.

    The feature also would absorb water from the roadway and ejects it from the tire's footprint using centrifugal force, Goodyear claims.

    “We also hope it serves as inspiration for the automotive industry as we continue to find solutions for the future, together,” Mr. Kihn said back in March.

    Each year, Time's technology editors review recent inventions and compile a list they say represents products “that are making the world better, smarter and — in some cases — a little more fun.”

    Other inventions included in this year's list of lauded products were Nike Inc.'s Hyperadapt 1.0  self-lacing shoes, a folding bicycle helmet by Morpher and the Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicle.

    A full of the inventions selected for the award is available on Time's website.

    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Do you have an opinion about this story? Do you have some thoughts you'd like to share with our readers? Tire Business would love to hear from you. Email your letter to Editor Don Detore at [email protected].

    Most Popular
    1
    Goodyear marks milestone with Cooper Tire integration
    2
    Brison leaves Hankook for TireHub
    3
    Updated: Tire makers react to war in Ukraine
    4
    ITDG CEO Dave Marks announces retirement
    5
    Using torque sticks to speed service times
    SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    Newsletter Center

    Staying current is easy with Tire Business delivered straight to your inbox.

    SUBSCRIBE TODAY

    Subscribe to Tire Business

    SUBSCRIBE
    Connect with Us
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
    • RSS

    Our Mission

    Tire Business is an award-winning publication dedicated to providing the latest news, data and insights into the tire and automotive service industries.

    Reader Services
    • Staff
    • About Us
    • Site Map
    • Industry Sites
    • Order Reprints
    • Customer Service: 877-320-1716
    Partner Sites
    • Rubber News
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Automotive News
    • Plastics News
    • Urethanes Technology
    RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    • Terms of Service
    • Media Guide
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Classified Rates
    • Digital Edition
    • Careers
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    Copyright © 1996-2022. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • Mid-Year Report
    • News
      • Aligning with ADAS
      • OPINION
      • BUSINESS/FINANCIAL
      • COMMERCIAL TIRE
      • GOVERNMENT & LAW
      • Humanitarian Award
      • RETAIL TIRES
      • SERVICE ZONE
      • TIRE MAKERS
      • Best Places to Work
      • RUSSIA WAR IN UKRAINE
    • Data
      • DATA STORE
    • Custom
      • SPONSORED CONTENT
    • Events
      • ASK THE EXPERT
      • LIVESTREAMS
      • WEBINARS
      • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
      • RUBBER NEWS EVENTS
    • Resources
      • DIRECTORY
      • CLASSIFIEDS
      • SHOP FLOOR
        • BALANCING
        • DEMOUNTING
        • SAFETY
        • TIRE REPAIR
        • TPMS
        • TRAINING
        • VEHICLE LIFTING
        • WHEEL TORQUE
      • AWARDS
        • Best Places to Work
    • ADVERTISE
    • DIGITAL EDITION