Image(s) of the Day: Futuristic tires could someday charge electric vehicles

Goodyear recently unveiled two concept tires, BHO3 and Triple Tube, which both may find a place in the green car revolution. Although these tires are currently concept products, the technologies in their designs are a glimpse of innovations up the road.

BHO3

Via Overdrive

The first concept, BHO3, is a tire that generates electricity from the heat that occurs naturally in all tires when they’re in use. This electricity could be fed to the onboard storage battery of an electric or plug-in vehicle, charging the batteries of the car.

Although Goodyear hasn’t provided details about how much energy can be created or how it would get from the tire to the storage battery, the BHO3 concept is an interesting idea. As the demand for electric vehicles increases, this technology has the potential to contribute to the future of mobility changes. This visionary tire technology could also help alleviate vehicle-range anxiety motorists may have with electric cars.

Triple Tube

Via Overdrive

Goodyear’s second concept may be seen as a bit more out there, and its name says it all. Triple Tube, as it’s called, includes three separate air chambers beneath the tread that are able to adjust the shape of the tire depending on how much pressure it added or got rid of from each one. The tire relies on an internal pump that moves the air from the main chamber to the three individual chambers, or tubes. Based on road conditions, the tire automatically adjusts to the three different positions: Eco/Safety, Sporty, or Wet Traction.

Depending on road conditions, the first position reduces fuel consumption by lowering the rolling resistance, the second improves tire contact patch, and the third position raises the central tread of the tire to help it stay in contact with the road surface by resisting hydroplaning.

By showing off the BHO3 and Triple Tube, Goodyear demonstrated its engineering capabilities, and ways tires could potentially become more integrated with overall vehicle designs. At the unveiling held at this year's Geneva Motor Show, Goodyear’s senior vice president and chief technical officer, Joe Zekoski said, “We envision a future in which our products become more integrated with the vehicle and the consumer, more environmentally friendly and more versatile.”

Via Future Timeline