Time names Goodyear’s spherical tire a top invention

Goodyear’s spherical concept tire, the Eagle-360, has been named one of Time Magazine’s best inventions of 2016.

The tire, which operates using magnetic levitation, was announced to the world in March at the Geneva Motor Show and was an immediate hit with crowds.

You can see how it’s designed to operate here:

Each year, Time Magazine’s technology editors list the “best inventions that are making the world better, smarter and — in some cases — a little more fun.” There are 25 inventions on this year’s list, including Goodyear’s concept tire.

Concept tire with safety at its core

“By steadily reducing the driver interaction and intervention in self-driving vehicles, tires will play an even more important role as the primary link to the road,” said Goodyear’s chief technical officer Joe Zekoski.

“Goodyear’s concept tires play a dual role in that future both as creative platforms to push the boundaries of conventional thinking and test beds for next-generation technologies.

“Although the Eagle-360 is a future concept, it represents an essential aspect of Goodyear's innovation strategy and our vision for smart and safe mobility."

The Eagle-360 is a spherical-shaped design concept tire designed to provide self-driving cars “ultimate maneuverability, connectivity and biomimicry to increase safety.”

Time’s best inventions list has 25 winners, including a virtual reality headset, shoes that lace themselves, a solar roof collaboration between Tesla and SolarCity, and the Chevy Bolt electric vehicle. You can see the full list here.

Tagged: Development

Time names Goodyear’s spherical tire a top invention