Goodyear’s Oxygene concept tyre (section)
Goodyear
Tyre manufacturer Goodyear has unveiled its new concept tyre Oxygene at the Geneva International Motor Show. What is unusual about the tyre is that living moss grows within its sidewall. The Oxygene’s special tread soaks up moisture from the road, as well as CO2 from the air, thereby feeding the moss. Through a process of photosynthesis, the tyre in turn releases oxygen into the air. In a city similar in size to greater Paris with about 2.5 million cars running on Oxygenes, this would mean generating nearly 3,000 tons of oxygen and absorbing more than 4,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year.
Oxygene features a non-pneumatic construction that is 3D-printed with rubber powder from recycled tyres. Its lightweight structure is shock-absorbing, puncture-proof and especially durable. The open structure of the tyre is also designed to increase driving safety by helping to soak up water from the tread, which improves the tyre’s grip in the wet.
It generates its own electricity and is network capable
Furthermore, the Oxygene generates its own electricity by storing the energy released by photosynthesis in order to power the electronics embedded in the tyre. These include sensors, an artificial intelligence unit and a light strip in the sidewall that can change colour to warn both other motorists and pedestrians of upcoming manoeuvres, such as lane changing or braking.
The concept tyre also uses a communication system based on visible light, also known as LiFi, which is intended to make mobile connectivity possible at the speed of light. LiFi connects the tyre to the Internet of Things, enabling both vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication.